A committee guiding the update to the Palm Springs General Plan met for the first time in almost two years to discuss the draft land use element, which will guide the city’s look and feel for the next two decades.
Driving the news: The nine-person committee met for nearly three hours Thursday evening to review the land use draft changes. No action was taken, but consultants working on the draft were on hand to explain the changes and take questions and comments from committee members.
What changed: After reviewing public comments, the draft was updated to address some topics emphasized by locals, including increased walkability, housing density, protection of the “village feel,” and development of the northern part of town.
- More technical changes were also made to comply with new state mandates and to update location name changes.
Why now: The land use element is a part of the limited update to the general plan for the year 2040, which hasn’t gotten a comprehensive update since 2007.
What’s at stake: Land use outlines development criteria and standards, including building intensity and population density.
What’s next: The committee will continue to meet throughout the summer to go over the rest of the general plan, which includes the housing, circulation, and safety elements. Come fall, the committee hopes to have each of the elements finalized and ready to be approved by the Palm Springs City Council.
