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Friday, Oct. 9 | ☀️ 99°/77°
Happy Friday, everyone! Here’s an early heads up for next Thursday (Oct. 15), when the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus hosts a free screening of “Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game” from 4 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a candid conversation about race, racism and leadership in sports with CSUSB Provost Rafik Mohamed. Seating is limited, so RSVP by Monday and enjoy a thought-provoking event without ever leaving town!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Soak up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow
Leading Off
Kitchen 86 and Bar is one of two eateries still using public right of way for outdoor dining space. (Image: Google)
City moves closer to permanent outdoor dining rules
The Palm Desert City Council on Thursday directed staff to keep developing a permanent outdoor dining program that would let restaurants use public parking spaces if they build removable, accessible sidewalks.
Driving the news: The proposal would replace a temporary program that began in 2020 and expires June 30, 2027. Without it, the two restaurants using public right of way, Kitchen 86 and Little Bar, would have to remove their structures by then.
Restaurants would have to build replacement walkways in the street, typically occupying parking spaces.
By the numbers: A consultant contract worth just under $40,000 produced designs using removable pavers. A 120-square-foot replacement sidewalk is estimated to cost between $12,000 and $21,000.
The design: Mayor Evan Trubee and Councilmember Jan Harnik favored the A2 design, which includes wheel stops, a white stripe and vertical delineator posts. Staff said the council favors A2 for El Paseo, with tailored designs elsewhere.
The pushback: Councilmember Karina Moreno opposed moving forward, saying the program “has fizzled” and questioning whether the staff time was justified for two restaurants.
What we’re watching: Staff will return with a final proposal, aiming to adopt new rules before the temporary program expires in June 2027.
Briefly
A study reviewed by the Palm Desert City Council Thursday evening emphasizes the importance of views of the mountains to the west and north and of the landscape within the city.
🏜️ City officials approve of public views recommendations
The Palm Desert City Council voted 5-0 Thursday to approve 13 recommendations for preserving public views as a reference document, an action that creates no new regulations. The study emphasizes views of the mountains to the west and north and of the landscape within the city.
Carlos Flores, deputy director of development services, said the approval does not change development standards or commit funding. Staff will use the document as a reference for the Unified Development Code, objective design standards and capital projects. Recommendations include limiting heights to two or three stories at street frontages along scenic roadways and offering density bonuses for projects that preserve priority views.
Bottom line: Flores said the document carries “no teeth for any private development,” and a project submitted the next day would be reviewed under current standards. Council can later identify recommendations for staff to prioritize.
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📅 Featured Events
MULTIPLE DAYS
Yum Food Fest at The Shops at Palm Desert at 3–10 p.m. ($7–$10)
SATURDAY
Paint El Paseo Pink at 7 a.m. ($40)
College of the Desert Street Fair at 43-500 Monterey Ave at 8 a.m.
Observatory Public Exploration Night at 8 p.m.
TUESDAY
Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission at City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at MusclesInMotion at 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Palm Desert Cultural Arts Committee at City Hall at 9 a.m.
THURSDAY
El Paseo Parking and Business Improvement District Board at City Hall at 8 a.m.
Chamber Chat at 72559 Hwy 111 at 9:30 a.m.
Ribbon Cutting - Boyd Athletics at 41651 Corporate Way, Suite 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
Spooktacular Boat Rides at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort at 6–9:30 p.m. ($140 per private boat)
Aida Cuevas at McCallum Theatre at 7 p.m.
✨ And Finally …
The Palm Desert City Library. (File photo)
Palm Desert's library may be in line for a very long renewal. Mayor Evan Trubee told the Parks and Recreation Committee on Tuesday that city leaders are leaning toward exploring a lease extension for the library space at College of the Desert and renovating it, rather than building a standalone library. He said the lease has not been finalized.
Driving the news: The city had been pursuing its own building after years of being told the college would not renew the lease, Trubee said. The estimated cost rose from $30 million to about $45 million in roughly a year and could reach $55 million to $60 million.
The City Council paused and returned to the college, where the library has been since 1996. Trubee said the college's new leadership has indicated the city can renew.
The numbers: About 33 years remain on the original 66-year lease, and Trubee said he has heard annual payments of $150,000 to $300,000.
He estimated that fixing the heating and cooling, roof and other problems, and possibly adding space, would cost $10 million to $12 million. He said that would save the city $30 million to $40 million compared with a new building.
Why it matters to the committee: The $20 million in leftover redevelopment money must be spent on a capital improvement project, Trubee said. He said it could go toward a park project, and that the state is eager to recover the money if it goes unspent.
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