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Friday, July 10 | ☀️ 107°/81°
Happy Friday, Palm Desert, where, if you run a business, we’ve got an important note about one of your utility bills: The City Council recently approved updated commercial solid waste, recycling, and organics service rates — effective July 1 — reflecting an average 4.76% adjustment for businesses to keep essential waste collection, recycling, and State-mandated SB 1383 compliance services running smoothly. Business owners can check out the full rate schedule at this link or by calling Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services at 760-340-2113.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Trash" by Suede
Leading Off
A home on Silver Spur Trail as it appears today (left) and how it appeared prior to modifications.
Palm Desert panel rejects landmark bid; push for tiered historic system renewed
Palm Desert's Historic Preservation Committee voted against recommending landmark status for a 1956 home, citing extensive renovations that erased much of its original character. The rejection reignited calls for the city to create a separate, lesser designation for historic properties.
Driving the news: The committee voted 4-2 at its last regular meeting against recommending that the City Council designate 47550 Silver Spur Trail as a local historic landmark. Staff had recommended the designation, noting the home originally served as the sales office and model home for the Silver Spur Ranch subdivision and reflected the city's post-war residential growth and mid-century ranch architecture.
A 2022 renovation removed vertical wood siding, enlarged window openings and simplified decorative details, according to city staff. Owner Corina Morrison said the changes were made for practical and fire-safety reasons before she sought the designation.
What they're saying: Commissioner Rachelle McCune said the alterations left too little of the original structure intact. "It's been changed substantially," she said, adding the property "could possibly be considered historic merit" but not a landmark.
Zoom out: McCune renewed her push for a two-tiered system separating landmark status from a "historic merit" category, warning that without one, "we're going to have more and more inappropriate applications."
Of note: Committee members criticized the city's online application system for omitting fields required under the old paper process, including an architectural description. Staff said fields are being added back.
McCune said application quality has slipped since the switch two years ago, noting, "I feel like our standards have lowered."
The other vote: The committee voted 5-1 to recommend landmark designation for a 1957-58 desert modern home at 73411 Bercera Way, built by Roberts Construction Company.
Briefly
An aerial shot of the Westin Desert Willow Villas. (Photo: Westin Vacation Club)
🏗️ Desert Willow project gets 6-month extension
The Palm Desert City Council voted 5-0 Thursday to extend a development agreement covering the 80 remaining unbuilt units at Desert Willow, pushing the expiration date from August to February 2027.
The agreement covers property east of Portola Avenue and north of Country Club Drive. City staff said the extra time will let the city and developer finalize a performance schedule for remaining deliverables and deadlines, with an updated agreement expected before the new expiration date. No changes are proposed to land uses, density, site design or existing entitlements.
Details: The council found the extension exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. The Planning Commission voted 4-0 earlier in the week to recommend approval, and no members of the public spoke at either hearing.
🗳️ Property owners OK two assessment districts
Property owners in two Palm Desert special assessment districts overwhelmingly approved ballot measures Thursday, with less than a tenth of voters in either proceeding casting a protest vote.
In the Corte Placitas cul-de-sac, 93% of the 20 homeowners voted to join the city's landscaping and lighting district, a move expected to cost about $500 per home annually after the homeowners association sought ways to cut costs. Separately, 95% of commercial property owners in Presidents Plaza III on El Paseo Drive voted to renew their district, splitting a $111,219 cost among 16 properties based on size.
Details: Special assessments fund services like street lighting and parking lot upkeep for property owners in a defined area, distinct from general property taxes capped under Proposition 13. Because the city can't show all Presidents Plaza III improvements specially benefit those property owners, 4% of the district's costs will come from other city funds.
📅 Featured Events
TODAY
The Myx – Live Music at Casuelas Cafe at 6:30 p.m.
Palm Desert Aquatic Center Dive-In Movie Nights at 7:30 p.m.
Deep Space Night at the Observatory in Rancho Mirage at 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Beginner's Warhammer at The Dragon Den at 12 p.m. ($10–$20)
Rat Pack Duo at Hotel Paseo at 6 p.m.
TUESDAY
Happy Hour Hangout 2026 at Hotel Paseo at 4:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Line Dancing at Civic Center Park at 6:30 p.m. ($17–$68)
THURSDAY
Chamber Chat at the Palm Desert Chamber office at 72559 Hwy 111 at 9:30 a.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
Ina The Sunshine Storyteller & Chazz Rozz at the Palm Desert Library at 10:46 p.m.
✨ And Finally …
A map of what will now be known as North Palm Desert.
Palm Desert's northern reaches have a new name. The City Council voted Thursday to formally designate the area long referred to informally as "North Sphere" as "North Palm Desert."
Driving the news: The council adopted a resolution recognizing North Palm Desert as an official geographic subarea, covering land near Interstate 10, Monterey Avenue, Frank Sinatra Drive and the railroad corridor.
The item passed as part of the consent calendar on a five-to-zero vote.
Why it matters: The name will now be used consistently in city planning documents, maps, wayfinding signage and public communications.
What they're saying: Councilmember Karina Moreno said some residents initially misunderstood the proposal, but came around once they read it, adding that the change helps the area feel fully part of Palm Desert rather than "some ethereal, mystical place."
Worth noting: The designation is administrative only. It doesn't create a new government body, service area or zoning district, and it doesn't change city boundaries.
In Case You Missed it
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