HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment from Desert Valley Builders' Association (DVBA) to the Sustainability Commission2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Paul Mahoney,
PIvIA Advertising
Immediate Past President
Todd Hooks
Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians (Ret.)
IS' VICE PRESIDENT
Tom Dubose
Dubose Design Group, Inc.
SECRETA.RYITREASURER
Pedro Rincon
Osborne Rincon CPAs
VICE PRESIDENT
OFASSOCIATES
Allan Levin
Allan Levin & Associates
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Gretchen Gutierrez
DIRECTORS
Fred Bell/2024 PAC Chairnuin
Nobell Energy Solutions
Brian Benedetti
Brian Benedetti Construction
Mark Benedetti
Cheryl Gonzales
GHA Companies
Mario Gonzales — Presidents Council
GIIA Companies
Joe Hayes — Presidents Council
Jeremy Roos
Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians
Dave Lippert
Lippert Construction, Inc
Bruce Maize
Orr Builders
Russ Martin
Mission Springs Water
District
Deborah McGarrey
Southern California Gas Company
Alan Pace
Petra GeoSciences
John Powell, Jr.
Coachella Valley Water District
Phil Smith — Presidents Council
Sunrise Company
Alissa Vatter
Fidelity National Title
Jeff Wattenbarger —Presidents Council
Wattenbarger Construction
Michelle Witherspoon
MSA Consulting
V A
desert valleys builders association
December 16, 2025
City of Palm Springs
320 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92263-2743
Attn: Linsey -Paige McCloy, Director
Office of Sustainability
Dear Ms. McCloy:
Thank you for reaching out to the Desert Valleys Builders Association with the
proposal the City of Palm Springs has relating to an Energy -Efficient
ordinance for older residential properties within the City.
As I expressed at our meeting on December 3`d, the DVBA has a number of
concerns with the proposed ordinance. A number of those issues relate to the
initial threshold by which a resident seeking a minor renovation or home
improvement (especially in the case of a repair such as to a HVAC or water
heater unit that has failed); can be significantly and financially impacted with a
large number of additional improvements to be mandated to be added to the
overall repair/renovation and cost of a project. Other areas of concern include,
but not limited to are: Ordinance language and examples to be clarified for
general public knowledge of requirements; credit allowance given to
alterations or additions done within prior 3 years (length of prior time should
be expanded to 5 at a minimum); burden of additional electrical support to a
residence in the event significant upgrades are conditioned for a permit; length
of time for recovery of initial expense vs cost savings to mention just a few
areas.
The Desert Valleys Builders Association looks forward to working with the
City of Palm Springs staff & Sustainability Commission in crafting an
ordinance that can provide for the needs of the city in attaining its energy
goals, without undue or excessive burden on its residents.
Sincerely
CGretchen Gut errez
Chief Executive Officer
550 Oleander Road • Palm Springs, CA • 92262
(760) 776-7001 office • (760) 776-7002 fax
www.TheDVBA.org