HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-26 CC MINUTESMonday, July 26, 2021
Minutes of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, by Governor Newsom, this meeting was conducted by
teleconference and there was no in-person public access to the meeting location.
CALL TO ORDER:
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor
Holstege on Monday, July 26, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Grace Elena Garner, Geoff Kors, Dennis Woods; Mayor Pro Tem
Lisa Middleton; and Mayor Christy Holstege
Absent: None.
City Staff
Present: Justin Clifton, City Manager; Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney; and Anthony J. Mejia,
City Clerk, were present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or
responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
C. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF DRAFT 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT,
DRAFT LAND USE PLAN AND PROPOSED BUILDOUT
Assistant Planning Director Newell presented the staff report and responded to City
Council inquiries.
Councilmember Garner announced her recusal in relation to the College of the Desert
property due to proximity to her residence and left the meeting.
Councilmember Kors requested staff to evaluate the College of the Desert property in north
Palm Springs, noting if it is converted into housing it should be done so in a manner that
benefits the Desert Highland Gateway Estates and surrounding area as reparations for
Section 14 evictions.
Councilmember Garner returned to the meeting.
During the course of discussion, individual Councilmember(s) provided the following
commentary. The below points do not necessarily reflect City Council consensus:
• Higher density housing projects should be distributed across the entire City, in all
zones, and near transit corridors.
• Multi-unit housing projects should be allowed in all zones, near transit, with reduced
parking requirements.
City Council Minutes July 22, 2021
City of Palm Springs Page 2
• Increasing density allows the City to conserve more open space.
• Consider incentivizing small hotels to convert to market-rate or subsidized housing.
• Consider enacting regulations prohibiting the conversion of apartments to hotels or
condominiums and long-term rentals from obtaining short-term vacation rental permits.
• Consider capping the number of short-term vacation rental units.
• Discuss whether to allow hotels/motels in residential zones if compatible with the
neighborhood.
• There is a need for additional educational outreach to inform developers about the
City’s fee waiver programs.
• Staff should incorporate issues experienced at existing mobile home parks into the
document, such as lack of cellular service, internet connectivity, and overcrowding.
• Consider conducting a housing condition survey in the future to help the City achieve
the goal of fixing and updating properties.
• The City should work with experts to develop housing for people with special needs.
• The City should address that a majority of residents overpay for housing.
• Consider developing an accessory dwelling unit rental registry.
• Engage the financiers and developers to discuss impediments to the construction of
new housing across all price points.
• The City should engage residents in relation to increased building heights and density
along transit routes.
• Consider using City-owned vacant land to develop additional mobile home parks.
• Consider self-help programs to promote homeownership.
• The Palm Hills area should remain open space in perpetuity.
• It is important to develop design standards.
• The history section should better address the history of the Filipino community and
Veterans Tract.
The City Council took no formal action on this matter.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 12/09/2021