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Home My WebLink AboutITEM 2A - Re_ Response to Concerns Regarding Our Business Proposal - CUP-2024-0012From:msa92262@gmail.com To:Athalie LaPamuk Cc:Adnan LaPamuk; Planning; Noriko Kikuchi Subject:Re: Response to Concerns Regarding Our Business Proposal - CUP-2024-0012 Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2025 9:55:37 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hi Athalie, I appreciate you reaching out and offering further explanation for you project. You must understand that I was going off information provided to me through the notice from the planning commission and from my phone call with Noriko Kikuchi. What you describe below is different that what I was told. Here are my concerns and comments. I would welcome your input and clarification. 1. I purchased my property directly behind yours in 2018. I moved to it in 2020. I have two other tenants. Our buildings are extremely close to one another and all of the bedrooms for my three units face your property and are relatively close to our rear wall. Yes, they are behind a wall and hedge, but we have experienced problems consistently during this time. I'm not sure when you purchased the building and what is your responsibility, however the fact remains that there has been a disregard to the neighborhood concern that you mention. Here is some of our experience: The building rear light is unshielded. It points directly toward three of our four bedrooms. Even with the hedge, we see bright, bare lightbulbs shining directly toward the rear of my property and into our windows. There is no reason for you to light more than your parking area. Further, this is a code compliance problem There has been a significant amount of dumping of debris during this period of time behind your property. The rear area needs to be kept clean and orderly. I have had to call the City to have this debris removed. At a period of time, the chain link fence was loose and created noise when it moved during strong winds. This noise could go on all night. In general, you need to prove that you care about your neighbors and maintaining your property. As is currently the case, the windows in the front of your building have been broken for a significant amount of time. Boarding them up is not a complete solution, and frankly I think it has taken you and/or the prior owners and City too long to address the blight created by this building. Please do better. I had to contact the City to urge you to finally board up broken windows. 2. I was told that you plan to operate until 2 a.m. Considering the non-bar that you describe, I think that is far too late to operate a bookstore and champagne lounge. Palm Springs is not a late night city particularly with the businesses that are in our neighborhood. Yes, we have to deal with the 7-11 being open 24/7, but I don't think there is anything to do about that legacy business. We are particularly bothered by deliveries in the alley all through the night. Most of the trucks idle throughout their delivery immediately on the other side of my wall. Last night, I was awakened by a 4 a.m. delivery. Frankly, I believe there is no will from city officials to monitor or change these behaviors. Businesses can do whatever they want. I have seen the Planning Commission and City Council reject viable and reasonable business like the Starbucks and relocation of the 7-11 on Palm Canyon Drive for sustainability and architecture concerns, while your project seems to breeze through. Would you consider limiting your hours to 9 or 10 p.m.? I would also ask that you commit that deliveries without idling happen during daylight hours. 3. In spite of your comment about encouraging rideshares, I think that parking will be a problem, especially if the property next to yours is developed. I see very little foot traffic. I am not in favor of the waiver that Palm Springs has granted you regarding a patron parking requirement for the northern part of the city. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the City- wide zoning revision. It is my opinion that quality of life concerns should matter more than business needs, especially for modifications to business use in fringe residential areas. My building was constructed in 1940. 4. Will you commit to restoring and maintaining the mural on the side of your building? It seems that it needs attention. 5. Foremost, I want you to acknowledge that Little Tuscany is a residential neighborhood directly adjacent to your commercial district. Our neighborhood has seen significant improvement with major investment by homeowners and other businesses like the Cole Hotel. Clearly zoning regulations favor the businesses, and so we need to count on the good will and intentions of business owners like you. Just because you back onto an alley does not mean that we don't have valued homes and lifestyles nearby. We should be entitled to peace and tranquility enjoying our lawns, gardens, pools, and homes. I will say that I appreciate the tone of your email. Hopefully, we can coexist and address any future problems. 6. Unfortunately, I think that I have little influence in changing the outcome of this project. I think you would feel frustrated and powerless if our roles were reversed. Time is running out before today's meeting, but I am open to further discussion with you. Although I was told that plans would be included in the agenda, I have seen nothing. Feel free to contact me at 415-297-7240 or msa92262@gmail.com. Thanks, Michael Alexander On Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 10:18:11 AM PST, Athalie LaPamuk <athalie@booksandsecrets.com> wrote: Hello Michael Alexander, We recently received a copy of your email to the city regarding our application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), and I wanted to personally reach out to address your concerns and share more about our vision for the space. My husband, Adnan, and I are not just business owners—we are longtime members of this neighborhood, having lived here for the past ten years and we take great pride in our community. The nature of CUP process misrepresents our plans a bit. We are not in fact planning to open a bar, but rather a bookstore where behind one bookshelf there will be access to an intimate ten-person champagne lounge, where guests can enjoy a glass of bubbly while reading or gathering for small book clubs. Our offerings will be limited to champagne, wine, and light bites, ensuring a quiet, refined atmosphere rather than a high-traffic nightlife venue. Our hope is to create a place that celebrates literature, conversation, and culture. We also understand that parking is an important concern. In fact, parking considerations were one of the key factors that has delayed our progress. We spent a year advocating for additional parking on Palm Canyon and are looking into additional parking solutions. Because of the bookstore-first experience of our concept, the plan is for the back lot to be reserved for employees, accessible parking, and tenants of the upstairs offices. We also hope to be a welcoming neighborhood space for locals within walking distance and as a place that would serve alcohol, we would always encourage our guests to use ride- share services. As fellow neighbors, our intent is to enhance the community, not disrupt it. Please feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to meet and answer any questions you might have. All the best, Athalie LaPamuk