Palm Springs panels take up affordable housing, vacation rental hearings and climate plans this week

Affordable housing proposals, vacation rental enforcement hearings and climate policy discussions are on the agendas at City Hall this week, as four bodies meet across three days on development, short-term rental regulation and sustainability.

The week mixes development reviews and advisory discussions with binding enforcement action. The Administrative Appeals Board holds three formal hearings on contested vacation rental cases. The Architectural Review Committee takes up three development applications, including a large affordable housing project. The Sustainability Commission receives updates on the city’s climate plans, and the Airport Commission holds its regular monthly session at the airport.

Here’s a look at the meetings scheduled this week:

Architectural Review Committee (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Large Conference Room, City Hall)

The committee resumes consideration of a request to build a 92,400-square-foot self-storage facility on a 4.20-acre parcel at 900 N. Farrell Drive. New business includes a request for a 3,995-square-foot house on a hillside lot at the terminus of West Santa Rosa Drive. The committee will also consider a proposal by Pacific West Communities, Inc., to build 115 100% affordable apartment units on an undeveloped 4.04-acre parcel at the northwest corner of West San Rafael Drive and McCarthy Road.

Sustainability Commission (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Large Conference Room, City Hall)

The commission receives a staff update on the city’s Comprehensive Heat and Shade Mitigation Plan. Under new business, members take up the city’s compliance status under SB 1383, proposed turf conversions at Palm Springs facilities tied to Desert Water Agency Ordinance 80, and an update on the Medical Recycling Program. The commission will also discuss planning for an Extreme Heat Summit set for Sept. 18. Old business includes a review of the 2021 Climate Action Roadmap and related adopted plans.

Administrative Appeals Board (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Large Conference Room, City Hall)

The board holds hearings on three vacation rental appeals. One case involves a two-year suspension of the registration certificate for the property at 3030 E. Vincentia Road. A second involves Fontenell, LLC, challenging both a permanent ban on operating vacation rentals in the city and a $5,000 fine for running an unregistered rental at 232 Avenida Ortega. A third covers a two-year suspension at 2395 W. Acacia Road. The board will also review the vacation rental ordinance and provide staff with direction on recommended changes to send to the City Council.

Airport Commission (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Airport Conference Room, Palm Springs International Airport)

The commission receives updates on capital projects, airport finances and marketing. Active projects include work on the Bono Concourse escalator replacement, the outbound baggage handling system replacement, and installation of 80 electric vehicle chargers at Lot-B. Commissioners will also hear an emergency preparedness briefing covering recent plan reviews and upcoming training.

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