Planning Commission greenlights amendment that allows Prescott Preserve project to move forward

The Palm Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a plan to restore approximately 90 acres of the former Mesquite Country Club golf course into a native desert habitat and nature preserve called Prescott Preserve. The decision advances Oswit Land Trust’s (OLT) project to transform the area.

The commission considered a “minor amendment” to the approved landscape plan on the property. Despite such amendments typically not requiring commission approval, city staff brought it to a vote due to the project’s scope and public interest.

Ten members of the public spoke during the meeting, with the commission receiving 128 letters on the topic. Of these, 87 were in favor, 34 opposed, and seven neutral.

Nearby residents expressed concerns about security, wildlife (particularly coyotes), and potential flooding. Addressing these issues, commissioners added and modified several conditions to the approval.

These conditions include requiring full-time rangers to patrol the preserve, annual updates to the Planning Commission on the project’s progress, and a mandate for OLT to collaborate with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to educate residents about coexisting with wildlife, especially coyotes.

The planned preserve has faced numerous challenges, including pushback from nearby homeowners and delays in obtaining necessary grant funding. The city and other jurisdictions have pushed the land trust to address unauthorized activities on the land, such as removing vegetation and trees without proper approvals.

Less than a month after OLT announced the land acquisition in August 2022, owners of surrounding homes sued both OLT and the former property owner. They claim the transformation from a golf course to a nature preserve violates their lease agreement.

Jane Garrison, Founder and Executive Director of OLT, told commissioners, “If it weren’t for the fact that we got sued by the surrounding HOA, you would already be seeing plants in the ground.”

Garrison added, “The timing is in the hands of the Mesquite Country Club HOA.” She revealed that OLT could have secured a $7.2 million grant in May, but the HOA refused to write a letter of support.

Oswit will have two years to commence work on the project. However, recent developments suggest potential progress in the ongoing lawsuit.

The Mesquite HOA’s board of directors recently announced to its 600 owners that it had parted ways with its lawyers. This decision came after frustrations mounted as litigation dragged on for the past two years.

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