HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/15/2015 - STAFF REPORTS 9ALA4 spy
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AfFOAN CITY COUNCIL AS HOUSING
SUCCESSOR AGENCY STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 15, 2015 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A CHAPTER 8 OFFER TO PURCHASE WITH THE
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A 14-UNIT
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
AND AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER AN AGREEMENT OF SALE FOR A
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2395 NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE,
PALM SPRINGS 92262
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Community & Economic Development Department
SUMMARY
That the Agency approve an offer to purchase from the County of Riverside the property
located at 2395 North Indian Canyon Drive (APN 504-260-019-5) at the purchase price
of $175,157.67, and authorize the Executive Director to execute documents necessary
to close the transaction.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Resolution No. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY,
FORMALLY REQUESTING A CHAPTER 8 AGREEMENT OF SALE WITH THE
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE FOR VACANT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2395 N.
INDIAN CANYON DRIVE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME."
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The former Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Palm Springs ("Agency")
was responsible for the development of Low- and Moderate-Income Housing in the City.
However, AB X1 26 and AB X1 27 were signed by the Governor of California on June
28, 2011, making certain changes to the Redevelopment Law, including adding Part 1.8
(commencing with Section 34161) and Part 1.85 (commencing with Section 34170) to
ITEMI NO. -
City Council Staff Report
April 15, 2015-- Page 2
Purchase of Tax Defaulted Property
Division 24 of the California Health and Safety Code, which dissolved the
Redevelopment Agency ("Dissolution Act'). Under the Dissolution Act, the term
Housing Successor Agency was the entity that would continue to administer the housing
activities of the former Redevelopment Agency.
On January 4, 2012, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City to
become the Successor Agency and the Housing Successor Agency. The City Council
elected to retain the responsibility for performing housing functions previously
performed by the Palm Springs Community Redevelopment Agency and assume all
rights, powers, assets, liabilities, duties, and obligations associated with the housing
activities of in accordance with Cal. Health and Safety Code §34176.
In early 2015, the City was informed that a property located at 2395 N. Indian Canyon
Drive, further identified as Assessor's Parcel Number 504-260-019-5 (the "Property"),
was included in a Sale of Tax-Defaulted Property Public Auction by the County of
Riverside on April 30, 2015. The City wishes to purchase the property at 2395 N.
Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs for development as affordable housing, consistent
with the City's Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan submitted to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, as follows:
Goal 2: Retain and increase the stock of affordable housing through
rehabilitation and new construction; and
Homeless Goal 1: Support or provide funding for programs that offer
services and/or supportive housing to assist homeless individuals and/or
families.
California Law describes a process for taxing agencies, such as the City, to acquire tax
defaulted properties through direct purchase (Chapter 8) rather than through auction
(Chapter 7). Section 3698.5 (a), Section 3698.5 (c), Section 3793.6 and Section 3799
of the Revenue and Taxation Code, State of California set forth the procedures under
which the County may sell tax-defaulted property.
The City of Palm Springs objected to the public sale of parcel 504-260-019-5 on March
17, 2015. Riverside County has established the Chapter 8 direct sale price for the
Property at 233 W. Tramview as $175,157.67 including all nuisance abatement liens.
The price was determined in keeping with Section 3698.5 (a) (or section c or both) of
the Revenue and Taxation Code.
In addition, the City has also certified that the existing structure is substandard, as
defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17920(b), as the Building and Safety
Department has requested that only complete demolition or total renovation be
permitted, as the current vacant condition of the property does not warrant a partial
renovation.
02
City Council Staff Report
April 15, 2015 -- Page 3
Purchase of Tax Defaulted Property
FISCAL IMPACT:
The purchase is to be funded from the City's Housing Successor Agency accounts.
���^7'
Jo Ray on , irector Dale Cook
Community Development Administrator
David H. Ready, City N!�fts r
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Approving Chapter 8 Agreement of Sale
2. March 26, 2015 Letter from Riverside County
03
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, ACTING IN ITS
CAPACITY AS HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY,
FORMALLY REQUESTING A CHAPTER 8 AGREEMENT
OF SALE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE FOR
VACANT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2395 N. INDIAN
CANYON DRIVE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS
RELATED TO SAME
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs, acting in its capacity as the Housing Successor Agency to
the former Community Redevelopment Agency ("City") was informed that the property located at
2395 N. Indian Canyon Drive, further identified as Assessor's Parcel Number 504-260-019-5
(the "Property"), was included in a Sale of Tax-Defaulted Property Public Auction by the County
of Riverside on April 30, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to purchase the property at 2395 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm
Springs for development as affordable housing, consistent with the City's Consolidated Plan and
Annual Action Plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, Section 3698.5 (a), Section 3698.5 (c), Section 3793.6 and Section 3799 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code, State of California set forth the procedures under which the
County may sell tax-defaulted property; and
WHEREAS, Riverside County has established the Chapter 8 direct sale price for the Property at
233 W. Tramview as $175,157.67 including all nuisance abatement liens plus $175.00 in
County administrative costs, the price determined in keeping with Section 3698.5 (a) (or section
c or both) of the Revenue and Taxation Code; and
WHEREAS, funds for the purchase of the Property are available in the City's Housing
Successor Agency accounts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Palm Springs, acting in its capacity as
the Housing Successor Agency to the former Community Redevelopment Agency, as follows:
SECTION 1. The City of Palm Springs objects to the public sale of parcel 504-260-019-5.
SECTION 2. The City approves an offer to purchase from the County of Riverside the property
located at 2395 N. Indian Canyon Drive, more particularly described in Exhibit
"A", at the sales price of $175,157.67 allowed under Section 3698.5 (a) (or
section c or both) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, State of California. The
public purpose for the purchase is to redevelop the Property to provide housing
for low- or moderate-income residents. Furthermore, the costs of giving notice in
a form of a legal notice published in The Desert Sun Newspaper, in compliance
with Sections 3793.6 (a) and 3800 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code,
shall be paid by the City.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to Section 3799 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax
collector shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the identity and address of
04
parties of interest and mail a copy of the notice not less than 45 nor more than 60
days prior to the effective date of the agreement, by registered mail to the last
assessee of each portion of the property and to parties of interest, as defined in
Section 4675, at their last known address. The costs of providing such notice
shall be paid by the City.
SECTION 4. The City certifies that the existing structure is substandard, as defined in Health
and Safety Code Section 17920(b), as the Building and Safety Department has
requested that only complete demolition or total renovation be permitted, as the
current vacant condition of the property does not warrant a partial renovation.
SECTION 5. The purpose of the purchase of the Property is to redevelop it housing for low-
and moderate income individuals, which is consistent with the City's
Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan submitted to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, as follows:
Goal 2: Retain and increase the stock of affordable housing through
rehabilitation and new construction; and
Homeless Goal 1: Support or provide funding for programs that offer
services and/or supportive housing to assist homeless individuals and/or
families.
SECTION 6. The purchase is to be funded from the City's Housing Successor Agency
accounts.
SECTION 7. The Executive Director, or his designee, is hereby authorized to execute on
behalf of the City the necessary documents to complete the approved purchase.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL, ACTING
SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE PALM
SPRINGS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THIS 15T" DAY OF APRIL, 2015.
DAVID H. READY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DOUGLAS C. HOLLAND
CITY ATTORNEY
05
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
1, James Thompson, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, hereby
certify that Resolution No. was adopted by the Palm Springs City Council, acting in its
capacity as the Housing Successor Agency to the former Community Redevelopment Agency,
at a regular meeting held on the 15th of April, 2015, and that the same was adopted by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
JAMES THOMPSON
CITY CLERK
06
EXHIBIT "A" TO RESOLUTION
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
The Property is that certain real property located in the City of Palm Springs, County of
Riverside, State of California, described as follows:
LOTS 7 & 8 OF THE ROCHELLE TRACT, RECORDED IN BOOK 20, PAGE 68 OF MAPS, IN
THE COUNTY RECORDS OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
APN 504-260-019
ADDRESS is 2395 North Indian Canyon Drive.
07
JON CH RISTENSEN GARY COTTERILLS ASSISTANT TREAURER-TAI COLLECTOR CHIEF DEPUTY TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR
DEBBIE BASHE MATT JENNINGS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER CHIEF DEPUTY TREASURER-TA%COLLECTOR
GIOVANE PIZANO MELISSA JOHNSON
INVESTMENT MANAGER CHIEF DEPUTY TREASURER'TA COLLECTOR
KIEU NGO ADRIANNA GOMEZ
FISCAL MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER I
DON KENT
TREASURER
March 26, 2015
City of Palm Springs
P.O. Box 2743
Palm Springs, CA 92263-2743
Attn: John Raymond
Re: Assessment Number 504260019-5
Dear Mr. Raymond:
We are in receipt of your inquiry regarding acquiring tax-defaulted property.
The above referenced tax-defaulted parcel may be acquired by the City of Palm Springs
under a Chapter 8 Agreement of Sale for the minimum purchase price as follows:
Assessment Number Purchase Price
504260019-5 $175,157.67
Property taxes may be applied to parcels that are outside the City of Palm Springs'
purchasing boundaries. You may also purchase this parcel through a Chapter 7
Auction. Please verify with your legal council that this parcel is within the purchasing
boundaries.
The purchase price was determined in keeping with Section 3698.5(a)(or section c or both)
of the Revenue and Taxation Code, State of California.
In order for the City of Palm Springs to enter into an Agreement of Sale for this parcel, we
would need a Resolution from your City Council stating that the City objects to the public sale
of the parcel. The Resolution should further show an offer to purchase the property, including
the purchase price, legal description,Assessor's parcel number, and the public purpose for
which the land is to be devoted. It should also include a statement that the costs of giving
notice shall be paid by the City. In addition to the Resolution, the State now requires a
separate Mission Statement to be submitted as part of the Agreement. This must be on
official letterhead.
In compliance with Section 3800 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, the City is
required to pay for the legal notice tentatively published in the Desert Sun Newspaper.
Should the Agreement to purchase be nullified afterthe first publication,the City would still be
responsible for the publication costs incurred.
08
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR
4080 LEMON STREET,4TH FLOOR* P.O. BOX 12005* RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92502
WWW.RIVFRSIDETAXINFO.COM * (951 j 955-3900* 1(877)748-2689 * FAX (9511 955-3923
City of Palm Springs
Page 2
March 26, 2015
Pursuant to Section 3799 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, the Tax Collector
shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the identity and address of parties of interest.
Notifications of the pending sale to parties of interest must be sent by certified mail. Also, in
compliance with Revenue and Taxation Code 3800, the cost of giving notice of Agreement
shall be paid by the taxing agency, and is non-refundable should the property be redeemed
nullifying the Agreement.
The State of California now requires that a certification verifying an existing structure is
substandard,as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17920(b),if a residential property
is purchased for rehabilitation. If a property is purchased with the intent of developing the
area we will need documentation from an officer of the local housing jurisdiction confirming
the project is consistent with the area's development plan.
Once the Agreement of Sale has been completed correspondence will be sent requesting
funds within 14 days. Should payment not be received within the time allowed the Agreement
of Sale would be void.
We would appreciate receiving the Resolution to purchase this property from your Council
immediately. It would be advisable to contact our office and confirm that the Resolution has
been received. Properties scheduled to be sold at auction will not otherwise be
removed from the tax sale.
If your City Council decides against offering to purchase these parcels,we would appreciate
a letter so stating in order to close our file on this matter. Should you elect not to purchase by
Agreement, the law does not restrict you from bidding on the property at public auction.
If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me.
+Yours truly,
i&"C&C bF2[y *e
Michelle Bryant August
Tax Sales Operations Unit
(951) 955-3948
�9
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR
4080 LEMON STREET, 4TH FLOOR * P.O. BOX 12005 * RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92502
WW W.RIVERSIDETAXINFO.COM * (951) 955-3900 * 1(877) 748-2689 * FAX (951) 955-3923
Kathie Hart
From: Kathie Hart
Sent: Monday,April 13, 2015 12:37 PM
To: 'CATHERINE@MEYLERANDCO.COM'
Cc: Terri Milton; Cindy Cairns;Jay Thompson
Subject: RE: Item 2L on the next City Council Meeting Agenda
Ms. Meyler:
This is to confirm this morning's telephone conversation.
Item 211 on the April 15, 2015, City Council meeting agenda does not require notification to the surrounding property
owners. This is an administrative action relating to the acquisition of the property.
If desired,you may 1)send correspondence to the Mayor and Council opposing to the purchase of this property, or 2)
speak at the City Council meeting on April 15, 2015, opposing the purchase of this property.
Thank you for your interest.
KAMt
Kathie Hart, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk
usero;pgr.
City of Palm Springs (760) 323-8206
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way r (760)322-8332
Palm Springs,CA 92262 I Kathie.Hart@PalmSpringsCA.gov
City Hall is open 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Thursday,,and closed on Fridays.
From: Cindy Cairns
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 10:35 AM
To: Jay Thompson
Cc: Kathie Hart; Terri Milton
Subject: FW: Item 2L on the next City Council Meeting Agenda
Jay, can you help with this?
Cindy Cairns ( Executive Services Administrator
� MMS
City of Palm Springs I Office of the City Manager
� t ;
32oo E.Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs,CA 92262
Office:760.322.8362 1 Fax:76o.3z3.8zo7 ( Email: Cindy.Carns@palmspringsca.gov
Palm Springs City Hall is open 8 am -6 pm Monday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays
From: Citymanager- Mail Login
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 10:33 AM
To: Cindy Cairns
Subject: FW: Item 2L on the next City Council Meeting Agenda
�•15.15
--------------------------------------
From: Catherine MeylegSMTP:CATHERINEOMEYLERANDCO.COMI �L
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2015 10:31:28 AM
1
To: Citymanager- Mail Login
Subject: Item 2L on the next City Council Meeting Agenda
Auto forwarded by a Rule
Dear Mr. Ready,
Item 2L on Wednesday's agenda sets out the City's plan to object to the public sale at auction on April 30, 2015 of the
property at 2395 North Indian Canyon Drive and its plan to purchase the property itself to use for low income housing.
I live right next door, at 2311 N. Indian Canyon in a Class One Historic Site, the Richard Neutra Miller House.
Can you provide me with proof of mailing the neighbor notification regarding this item? I have not received it either at
my Los Angeles address nor my Palm Springs one.
Sincerely,
Catherine Meyler
President
Meyler &Co. (Locations) Inc.,
527 W. 7`" Street
Suite 809
Los Angeles, CA 90014
T 213.627.5717
F 213.627.5718
C 310.283.5717
www.mevlerandco.com
z
Jay Thompson
From: David Ready
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 3:47 PM
To: Jay Thompson
Subject: FW: Urgent - concern about agenda item 2L for April 15th City Council meeting
For council meeting
1PtM r�
i! N
D"ID H. READY, Esq., Ph.D.,
CITY MANAGER
City of Palm Springs Tel: (760) 322-8350
3200 E.Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760)323-8207
Palm Springs, CA 92262 TDD: (760)864-9527
www.i)almsi)ringsca.gov David.Readyaoalmsaringsca.gov
From: Helen du Tot [mailto:helen(alhelendutoit.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 3:41 PM
To: David Ready
Subject: Urgent - concern about agenda item 2L for April 15th City Council meeting
Dear Mr. Ready,
Re: Agenda Item 2L - 14 unit multi family complex on Indian, near Racquet Club
It has come to my attention that the City of Palm Springs is considering purchasing and developing/restoring a
property next to the Neutra house on Indian Canyon, repurposing it into Low Income Housing - and possibly for
homeless housing as well. I would be grateful if you could share my concerns below with the mayor and
councilors - as well as anyone weighing in on this decision.
After years of renting every winter in Palm Springs, last year I purchased a property at the Racquet Club Garden
Villas. It is a beautiful complex though admittedly the neighborhood is a bit rough - though, thankfully,that
starting to change. My home was broken into twice last summer. In the mornings one of the shelters in town
drops off homeless people on Racquet Club between Indian and Palm Canyon, which doesn't help the
perception of the neighborhood as an up and coming area. That said, with focused efforts by the locals at
upgrading their homes, property values have been climbing in the north end. The new development along Palm
Canyon North gives many of us hope that our investment - and the increasing taxes we pay - are helping rebuild
this community into a more popular place for families and newcomers.
As you are likely aware, northern PS boasts one of the most exquisite examples of mid-C architecture, the
Neutra home now owned by Catherine Meyler, which is a Class 1 Historic site. It would be a great shame to
juxtapose this major attraction with low income housing. When Palm Springs Modernism event has done so
much for the city's national and international reputation, as well as dramatically spike tourism (and the taxes
that follow), it would be a real shame to compromise one of the jewels in PS's Modernism crown.
i e�-j 15� Zo15
yTEI-1 Z . L -
While I can see that there is a growing issue over homelessness in Palm Springs, which is a real concern and a
great pity, I strongly urge City Council to stay the course in terms of developing the north end of our lovely
city. Adding low income housing or a homeless shelter would reverse the hard work and investment to which
homeowners in the north end have fully committed themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for sharing with it with City Council.
Sincerely,
Helen du Toit
2
Cindy Berardi
From: timothy Schneider <tschneidertaken@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 4:00 PM
To: cityclerk@palmsprings.ca.gov, terri.milton@palmsprings.ca.gov
Cc: CityClerk; Terri Milton
Subject: Letter for April 15th City Council meeting RE Item 2L on the Council Agenda
Attachments: Palm Springs City - Open Letter.docx; ATT73249.htm
HI Terri, Thank you for your assistance in getting this letter from our president delivered to the City Council
meeting this Wednesday regarding Item 2L on the Council Agenda.
It is most appreciated. If you could please acknowledge receipt I would be grateful.
Kind regards,
Tim Schneider
Vice President
Club Condominiums
130 W Racquet Club Road
Palm Springs CA 92262
TO: City of Palm Springs Mayor and City Council
FROM: Club Condominiums Board of Directors
RE: Open Letter Regarding Proposed Homeless Services Center on Racquet Club Road
Dear Mayor and City Council
Members: April 14, 2015
We have come to understand that the City of Palm Springs is thinking of spending 179,000 dollars to add a
resource for the Homeless on Indian Canyon south of Racquet Club Road. While the thought of providing
services to the homeless is noble, there appears to be no real direction from within the city regarding the way
that the north side of the 92262 zip code is evolving.
While we have heard periodically that the city has a"deep commitment' to improving the area between
Racquet Club Road and San Rafael, there is little evidence that this is the case. And this proposal clearly re-
enforces to anyone who may be thinking of executing a development on the large tracts of land neighboring
your proposed "Homeless Center", namely the project on the south side of Racquet Club, would certainly see
that spending millions on a re-development in the area would be mis-guided, there fore cementing the future of
the Racquet Club area as a"Run down, has been" neighborhood.
After waiting patiently for something to happen with the Racquet Club property itself, ALL of the neighboring
residents have already dealt with undue stress as a result of the lack of any strong action being taken against the
owners of The Racquet Club property by the city to get them to either begin construction, or sell the
property. They simply re-submit their plans once a year with minor revisions, in order to pretend that the start
of construction is "eminent'. We are in constant communication with all of our neighboring properties at"The
I
Colony", "Racquet Club Garden Villas", and"43@Racquetclub" and we are all so weary waiting for any little
action from the city to propel something in our area in the right direction, and now this action proposed by the
city itself in order to take us in exactly the opposite, wrong direction as a neighborhood!
If the city can appropriate 179,000 dollars to put toward taking our residential community of Palm Springs in
the wrong direction, we implore you to tell us what we can do and how we can get involved with City Council
to try to take us in the right direction with some community involvement. Maybe the city could take a
leadership role in trying to get developments going in our area utilizing a fraction of the cost proposed for this
center?
At least, in the meantime, PLEASE find another appropriate location for this proposed resource. You will not
only doom our residential community, you will forever doom that poor shopping center at Palm Canyon and
Racquet Club Road, to a dismal life of vacancy and/or the worst quality of tenant possible. If you REALLY
care, even just a little, about our community at the north end of your zip code, please at tomorrow's meeting,
vote down this ill-proposed location for this new resource. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Rick Prill, President, Club Condominiums Board of Directors
2
Kathie Hart
From: David Ready
Sent: Wednesday,April 15, 2015 11:36 AM
To: Jay Thompson; Kathie Hart
Subject: FW:Agenda 2 L-14 multi family complex in Racquet Club area
�tPut L4
DAVID H. READY, Esq., Ph.D.,
CITY MANAGER
City of Palm Springs Tel: (760)322-8350
3200 E.Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax:(760)323-8207
Palm Springs, CA 92262 TDD: (760)864-9527
w .oalmspringsca.gov David.Ready(Zbpalmspringsca.gOy
From: John DeMeo rmai Ito:iohndemeoC@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 12:28 AM
To: David Ready
Subject: Re: Agenda 2 L-14 multi family complex in Racquet Club area
Dear Mr. Ready,
I understand that the City of Palm Springs is considering a Low Income Housing and possible Homeless Shelter
next to the Miller House designed by Richard Neutra...OMG!!l
The North End of Palm Springs is the gateway to the largest concentration of mid-century architecture in the
world. The Miller House is one of Palm Springs crowning jewels and it will be located next to low income
housing?
I moved to the Racquet Club West area nearly five years ago.The area was marginal then with homeless
people congregating at the old Loehman's parking lot at the the corner of Palm Canyon and Racquet Club.
Crime was high until constant police presence and a fence put around the parking area discouraged the drug
deals and prostitution.The residents in the area were given a non emergency number which I called
frequently. Whether it was a gang of homeless people occupying the old Racquet Club,taking shoes and
personal property out of private yards,jumping fences or urinating and defecating next to a bush...) called the
non emergency number every time.
Those of us who have invested our time, money and confidence in revitalizing Palm Springs' North End and,
have seen it thrive with new shops and businesses in the past few years will feel betrayed.
What a travesty this would be!
Please share this with the City Council and, thank you for your time.
t
Sincerely,
John DeMeo
PS Are you aware that the magnificently restored Wexler and Palmer Krisel houses on Vista Palm Drive (west
of Racquet Club, south of Indian Canyon and west of E Francis) can't sell?...
The reason...there's a low income housing project across the street!
i