HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM #1B - email from Mark ColemanFrom:Christopher Hadwin
To:Anita Fields
Subject:FW: June 26 Planning Commission meeting
Date:Tuesday, June 25, 2024 10:37:49 AM
From: Mark Coleman <mc2coleman@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 10:27 AM
To: Planning <Planning@palmspringsca.gov>; Irene Cruz <Irene.Cruz@palmspringsca.gov>;
Christopher Hadwin <Christopher.Hadwin@palmspringsca.gov>; City Clerk
<CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: June 26 Planning Commission meeting
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Hello, my name is Mark Coleman and I’m a full-time resident of Palm Springs.
The Planning Commission Staff Report for the meeting on June 26, 2024
recommends approving a request from PS Resorts to vacate the portion of
Museum Way that connects vehicles and pedestrians to the Palm Springs Art
Museum. It appears that the Planning Commission’s sole reason for granting
approval is because vacating a portion of Museum Way would not be illegal.
This controversial issue deserves a more thoughtful response from our City
planners and City leadership.
The Planning Commission Staff Report states: "There are no streets existing or
proposed that would be impacted by the proposed vacation." Please take a
closer look at the section of Belardo between Tahquitz and Andreas. I
frequently travel along Belardo on my bicycle, both northbound and
southbound. The intersection at Belardo and Museum Way is particularly
dangerous because it’s a confluence of distracted tourists, dedicated bike
lanes, pedestrians, shoppers and vehicles searching for parking, or the
museum, or the statue. Trucks approaching the service entrance to The Rowan
increase the level of congestion and confusion at this intersection. Please
share the studies and data informing the Planning Commission's conclusion
that existing streets are not impacted by the closure of Museum Way.
The Forever Marylyn statue is privately owned by PS Resorts and was
purported to be a temporary installation on Museum Way. A court has
determined that Museum Way was illegally closed by the Palm Springs City
Council. It can't be overlooked that PS Resorts, a group of influential real
estate developers and hotel operators is driving the effort to vacate Museum
Way and overturn the 2016 Downtown Specific Plan. They have the resources
to sway public opinion and influence city officials. Kathy Weremiuk should
recuse from the vote as should any city officials who have personal
connections to members of PS resorts, or have accepted gifts and donations
from members of PS Resorts.
I'm hoping that the Palm Springs Planning Commission will consider both
sides of the street vacation controversy and make an informed
recommendation for the permanent siting of the Forever Marilyn statue.
Setting aside the legality of vacating Museum Way, is placing the statue in the
middle of recently constructed downtown street the best solution for our city?
Mark Coleman