Shadowrock

The Planning Commission, on which I serve, voted unanimously against extending the 1993 Shadowrock development agreement until 2017. City Council reversed this decision.

The original developer sold to the Castleton group, which has outlined some appealing ideas -- but what if Castleton, in turn, sells to a developer with different plans?

I voted “No” on Measure C because I believe Chino Cone property owners should comply with today’s more environmentally appropriate community standards and ordinances.

Our outgoing Council should be applauded for accomplishments including a balanced budget, sensible downtown development guidelines, and new convention hotels that will contribute to the renewal of Palm Springs.

But I differ on Shadowrock and other important issues -- failure to lead on conservation, approvals of architecturally or environmentally inappropriate projects, and declining to require public benefits when zoning variances are granted.

revitalization

I’m optimistic about tomorrow, and believe our next City Council can make downtown a lively, prosperous destination -- not just for tourists, but for year-round residents.

• Most of us agree on the big things: Preserve our historic values and special village character. Conservation. Protect open spaces. More parkland and hiking trails. Reduce crime. Immediate action on the Fashion Plaza.
• Continuing eastward population growth is finally benefiting Palm Springs. Instead of one location in Palm Desert, retailers (Cost Plus, Best Buy) increasingly want both West Valley and East Valley locations.
• In a few years, new convention hotels and mixed residential-commercial buildings will bring more shoppers to existing retailers -- and attract new stores with more quality offerings.
• In the meantime, let’s clean up and promote the good things we have already, and ease unnecessary burdens on existing and new businesses.
• Finally, diversify our economy beyond our vital tourism and real estate industries -- with the new COD campus and by attracting green and renewable energy companies to Palm Springs.

Minorities

Rather than thinking of Palm Springs as divided into majorities and minorities, I prefer to think of us as a quilt made from different fabrics, sewn together by a shared recognition that we all live in a very special place we want to protect.

We may have different faiths, or different kinds of families; we may be Filipino, Latino, African-American or Anglo; we may be younger or older; but most of us share the same goals for Palm Springs:

1. improve downtown
2. reduce burglaries & break-ins
3. build a greener, more environmentally conscious community
4. preserve the unique features of Palm Springs – the reasons we all live here

Among the goals I have for important demographic groups in our community:

1. more women appointed as department heads at City Hall and to Commissions
2. drug prevention and counseling programs targeted at middle school youth
3. urgent planning for the additional assisted living facilities we’ll need for our aging population

We’re all in this together. Let’s focus on what unites us.

signage

Looking at downtown today, we’ve not yet found the right balance between allowing businesses to promote themselves effectively, while keeping downtown presentable.

Our code defines sign violations as public nuisances. What about vacant storefronts, dirty streets, graffiti and shabby palms? I think we’re missing the forest for the trees…

City Council passed an emergency ordinance telling us what types of businesses we cannot have on Palm Canyon. I’d prefer an emergency ordinance providing short-term relief to help the merchants we already have stay in business:

• apply the more reasonable Uptown standards for signage & displays to the traditional Downtown core
• rethink Street Fair to highlight Palm Springs merchants instead of traveling vendors
• parking options to make Indian Canyon less of a freeway

None of us want a cluttered, cheap-looking downtown. No one with Palm Springs municipal experience would suggest it’s easy to amend our sign ordinance. But as a Planning Commissioner, I know more reasonable standards are achievable.

Neighborhoods

I believe in leadership that listens, and have been contacting citizens and asking which issues are most important. The unmistakable answers: revitalizing downtown, and reducing crime.

Regarding downtown, everyone’s patience has run out. City Council must set a one year timetable to approve a replacement to the Desert Fashion Plaza, and keep the public informed as we negotiate with the present owner – or find a new owner.

City Hall must do better on the basics: cleaner streets and benches, eradicating graffiti, protecting businesses from vandalism. As a Planning Commissioner, I’ve voted to bring new stores for residents, and new hotels to expand convention business, while defending our neighborhoods and open spaces.

I agree with our citizens who insist that public safety become a higher priority. Better than anyone, the line officers who protect us daily know what needs improving. We should involve victims of crime, and law enforcement professionals inside and outside our Police Department; then adopt an action plan before the next fiscal year. 

For more details, my Desert Sun blog.

Priorities

I believe in leadership that listens, and have been contacting citizens and asking which issues are most important. The unmistakable answers: revitalizing downtown, and reducing crime.

Regarding downtown, everyone’s patience has run out. City Council must set a one year timetable to approve a replacement to the Desert Fashion Plaza, and keep the public informed as we negotiate with the present owner – or find a new owner.

City Hall must do better on the basics: cleaner streets and benches, eradicating graffiti, protecting businesses from vandalism. As a Planning Commissioner, I’ve voted to bring new stores for residents, and new hotels to expand convention business, while defending our neighborhoods and open spaces.

I agree with our citizens who insist that public safety become a higher priority. Better than anyone, the line officers who protect us daily know what needs improving. We should involve victims of crime, and law enforcement professionals inside and outside our Police Department; then adopt an action plan before the next fiscal year. 

Demolish center to create lifestyle plaza?

There seems to be widespread support for knocking down the Desert Fashion Plaza to create a new lifestyle plaza. A key part of Wessman Development Co.'s plans for the plaza include tearing down the mid-century modern Town & Country Center to make way for a possible hotel and a new road connecting the proposed Spa Resort Hotel, Convention Center and the Palm Springs Art Museum. Are you in support of this demolition? Why or why not? If not, what can be done instead to provide that pedestrian experience?

To "fix" downtown:

1. Improve what already exists:

- Cleaner streets, trim the palms, prevent graffiti and vandalism.

- Block-by-block action plans to lift commerce

2. More year-round shoppers so businesses can succeed:

- Housing for residents who park their cars and walk downtown

- More hotel rooms to boost convention business

3. Finalize a replacement for the Fashion Plaza - a one year deadline - whether with Wessman Development or a new owner. Key ingredients:

- A large pedestrian plaza, with adjoining stores and condos

- Stick with the height restrictions I voted for as a Planning Commissioner

- An avenue connecting the Museum and Convention Center

Palm Springs is a living "museum," including some architectural gems we must preserve. City Council must resolve two key questions:

- Is there only one route to link the Museum and the Convention Center?

- Can the once-beautiful Town & Country Center be restored, and who pays?

Leadership is about making energetic efforts to find common ground. This is the approach I'll bring to City Council.

Emergency preparedness

One of my top goals for City Council is to make public safety a higher priority. This means supporting the lead agency for emergency response, our Fire Department, as well the Police Officers who maintain order.

After a disaster, City Hall’s first challenges will be resolving gas leaks and restoring water, power, communications and hospital access. You and I might be on our own for days, including first aid, water, food and shelter.

Are we ready? Not yet.

I serve on my neighborhood Board, and believe City Council should request that each neighborhood organization and HOA prepare answers to these questions: 

• Where is the nearest city vault containing supplies and radio equipment?
• Which neighbors are elderly, disabled or needing special help?
• Who nearby has Community Emergency Response (“CERT”) training, medical and nursing skills?

Serving on the city-funded Office of Neighborhood Involvement, I’ve been a forceful advocate for making emergency preparedness a top priority. Along with Neighborhood Watch, I can’t think of more critical missions for neighborhood organizations.

Green Issues

Palm Springs needs to lead on environmental issues. We weren’t first, we were the third Desert city to adopt California Green Building. Palm Desert has adopted aggressive conservation goals. Palm Springs can do better.

• Start with the quickest, biggest, easiest payback -- conservation. Citizens aren’t benefiting from rebates, because City Hall hasn’t asked. We must become the energy efficiency leader.

• Palm Springs must set an example with buildings and land we control.  Let’s begin with desert landscaping on Tahquitz, instead of water spraying the streets.

• City planning practices should provide incentives, and fast-track green development.

• With our sunshine and wind, I favor diversifying our economy by seeking new businesses that rely on conservation, solar and renewable energy.

• Research suggests potential visitors think we’re not environmentally friendly. I believe in promoting eco-tourism, it’s good for business.

As a Planning Commissioner, I’ve done more than talk. My colleagues voted unanimously to support my proposals recommending these things. But the buck stops with City Council.

FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN PRESERVING PALM SPRINGS AND DEVELOPING IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE AT THE CITY. WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY FOR FINDING THAT BALANCE? 

My record of experience as a Planning Commissioner demonstrates my strategy for finding the right balance: First, consider each new idea independently, based solely on its merits; listen to those involved; and achieve reasonable common ground.

Second, protect our cherished quality of life, architecture and natural beauty by opposing structures that are outsized, architecturally inappropriate or environmentally disruptive. I’ve voted against a proposed hotel too high for the historic Tennis neighborhood, voted against a mansion too massive for the Mesa. I’ve proposed that when developers seek exceptions from normal requirements, they should compensate the public with additional amenities.

Third, create a thriving Palm Springs with sensible investments in our future, projects that grow City revenue so we can fix our streets and improve public safety. I’ve voted for new shopping choices close to home – an upgraded Jensen’s, Best Buy, Cost Plus, Michael’s and Bed Bath & Beyond – and for hotels and housing to bring new customers to our businesses. When property owners bring proposals in harmony with our historic requirements, their rights should be protected.