Oct. 26 Daily Briefing: Council to talk taco trucks, debate over a new Starbucks, and more

Welcome to Thursday, where we are one step closer to the weekend! Heads up that more West Nile virus detections in mosquito samples mean additional mosquito control treatments have been scheduled within the boundaries of 30th Avenue, Date Palm Drive, East Palm Canyon Drive, and Gene Autry Trail. If you live in that area, you might hear the buzz of a helicopter from 1 a.m. until 7 a.m. through Friday morning as the treatments are applied. Want more information? Check here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Frankenstein” by Rina Sawayama

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LEADING OFF

With debate brewing, plans for drive-thru-only Starbucks move ahead

A new Starbucks could be coming to town, but not without concerns.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Planning Commission narrowly approved several permits to develop a 1,150-square-foot Starbucks coffee shop at the southeast corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road.

• No walk-in service, on-site seating, or take-out is proposed at this location.

Key details: The plan would allow for 19 cars to queue up using a dual drive-thru lane.

• There are currently three Starbucks located fewer than two miles away from the proposed site.

How it happened: The 3-2 approval wasn’t smooth sailing, with several commissioners raising concerns about a drive-thru-only business.

What they’re saying: In casting a no vote, Commission Chair Kathy Weremiuk expressed her displeasure with the plan, saying, “What we have here is something that provides no pedestrian presence in an area that is the entrance to the city.”

• Commissioner Robert Rotman agreed, saying the project could set a precedent for more drive-thru-only projects that would limit future development nearby. 

Yes, but: Commissioners Scott Miller and David Murphy were in favor of the project, and they believed it would actually spark more development in the vacant area.

State of play: A representative for the developer told the commission that the original plans for a walk-up order window were scrapped when a nearby location had to close its walk-up window due to safety reasons.

Up next: The project now moves forward to the Architectural Review Committee for review at a future meeting. 

Read the complete story online here.

BRIEFLY

🌮 Council to discuss parklets, food trucks, cannabis business moratorium

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions today, and some food-related items are on the menu.

• According to the agenda, councilmembers are expected to give final approval to extending the use of parklets for restaurants through 2028. The council will also be considering an update to the city’s food truck ordinance, an issue often raised during discussions on the new sidewalk vending ordinance.
  
  
• Councilmembers will also hear a report on the state of the cannabis industry and consider a moratorium of 45 days on new applications for cannabis businesses.
  
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on the city’s website, YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

Generation T Fundraiser
5 p.m. | Eight4Nine
The Transgender Health and Wellness Center fundraiser is raising money for its housing program. The event will feature art and fashion from up-and-coming local artists. ($50)

City Council 
5:30 p.m. | In-person and online
City councilmembers meet in regular and closed sessions.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
This week’s street fair will have some spooky additions, like the haunted SunLine bus filled with ghosts and ghouls (and treats!) The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

BOOzy Pumpkin Carving Contest
6:30 p.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Your ticket gets you a flight of wine or beer and a pumpkin and carving kit to compete in this fabulous carving contest. ($30)

Machine Dreams: “HER”
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
The Cultural Center continues its cinematic voyage into the world of artificial intelligence with 2013’s “HER,” starring Joaquin Phoenix as a man who falls in love with an operating system, played by Scarlett Johansson. ($12)

Jazz & Martinis
7 p.m. | V Wine Lounge
Join Leanna and Jazz Trio playing Pop, Jazz, and Bossa hits from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. every Thursday. ($10)

SAVE THE DATE

• DAP Health Equity Walk on Oct. 28 at Ruth Hardy Park, starting at 9 a.m.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs on Oct. 29 in the Arenas District.
  
  
• Halloween Carnival Haunted House on Oct. 31 at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center.
  
  
• Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 1 at Demuth Community Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K run and walk on Nov. 4.
  
  
• Native American Learning Day & Market on Nov. 4 at PSHS.
  
  
• Love, Loss and What I Weighed on Nov. 4 at The Neurovitality Center.

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AND FINALLY …

The Mizell Center’s kitchen is back up and running after a nearly year-long renovation and expansion project.

Driving the news: The renovation that began in November last year is complete, and the Mizell Center is welcoming folks back for lunch.

How we got here: The original kitchen, built in 1951 when the building was still a fire station, served the firefighters. Now, Mizell serves 60 to 80 people daily and prepares hundreds of meals for Meals on Wheels distribution. 

• $1.3 million in funds was raised for the renovation, and money from the city’s Measure J tax also contributed.

What they’re saying: In a social media post, the Mizell Center said the dining hall was back open in full swing. “The energy was vibrant and very much alive!”

• The first lucky diners got to meet Chef Aaron and enjoyed music along with their fresh food. 

Check out the monthly menu online here.

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