Planning Commission approves massive warehouse project despite environmental concerns ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

*A rendering of what a warehouse planned within city limits north of Interstate 10 could look like.*

The Palm Springs Planning Commission voted Wednesday to approve a major development permit for a 739,360-square-foot warehouse, despite concerns about its environmental impacts.

The project, located at North Indian Canyon Drive and 19th Avenue, is expected to create over 700 jobs but faced opposition due to greenhouse gas emissions and traffic concerns.

In a 4-0 vote, commissioners approved the project while adding several conditions aimed at mitigating impacts and improving compatibility with city goals. These include requirements for employee break areas, electric vehicle charging, and adherence to third-party environmental agreements.

The project complies with 2022 zoning changes allowing warehouses in specific areas north of Interstate 10. An Environmental Impact Report found significant, unavoidable impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and transportation.

David Snyder, representing applicant PS Canyon Development LLC, said the project would generate substantial economic benefits.

“These 700-plus jobs are permanent jobs,” Snyder said. “They’re in logistics and operations and management.” He estimated an annual payroll of $65 million to $75 million.

Several residents spoke in opposition during public testimony, expressing concerns about visual impacts and effects on the tourism-based economy.

“We are a tourist community. I was in the tourist business for 30 years,” said Frank Tyson. “No one is going to come here anymore when we build this out.”

*Warehouses such as this one under construction in Desert Hot Springs are becoming a more frequent site along the Interstate 10 corridor.*

Commissioners struggled to balance economic benefits against unavoidable environmental impacts. They ultimately concluded the project’s benefits outweighed its drawbacks.

“I am not comfortable with the unavoidable and some irreversible environmental impacts, but I’m not going to get comfortable,” said one commissioner. “I think ultimately, for me, the pros of the project outweigh the cons.”

The commission added several conditions to address concerns raised during the hearing. These include requirements for indoor and outdoor employee break areas and food truck access to reduce traffic.

Other conditions require the applicant to implement zero-emission heavy-duty truck fleets as soon as feasible and purchase 100% carbon-free power from Desert Community Energy if solar arrays don’t meet all energy needs.

The project now moves forward unless appealed to the City Council within 10 days. If constructed, it would be one of the largest warehouse developments in the Coachella valley.

Commission Chair Kathy Weremiuk noted that while not ideal, the project fits the council’s vision for limited warehouse development in a specific area.

“Counsel was very careful not including two miles of open space from I-10 until you got to this area,” she said. “This is an urbanized area. I do think it’s the one place that’s appropriate for this kind of development.”