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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13A Drive-through Rest. - Public CommentsSanchez, Gloria From: Chad Smith <chad.smith@missionloans.com> Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 4:50 PM To: CityhallMail; CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Palms to Pines Shopping Center Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; Palms to Pines SHopping Center.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Good afternoon Mayor and City Council Members - I've attached a letter regarding Item 13 in the next council meeting. Thank you for your service! Chad Chad Smith CFO MISSION -LOANS 0 949.877.1004 f 855-903-2948 (855.90 FA%In e chad.smith@missionloans.com w missionloans.com 19500 Jamboree Rd, Suite 300 • Irvine, CA 92612 Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: City of Palm Desert 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 cityhall@palmdesert.org councilmeetingcomments@palmdesert.org Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm DesertCA Mayor and Council Members: I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway I I I in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway 1 I 1 that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 34 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 111 versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. Growing up in Palm Desert we were always unique without drive throughs. I'm confident for great reasons but given the pandemic and the impact it has on people's perception long term; it seems like a shift will happen to more contactless food options. As someone who spent 20 years in the desert, I'm confident this will enhance our city and create jobs and tax revenues. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. S' rely Thad M Smith Sanchez, Gloria From: Ellen Alperstein Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2021 2:11 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: drive-thru restaurants Council members: Please do not relax the zoning ban on drive-thru restaurants along Highway 111 in Palm Desert. This city, unlike some others in the valley, should stand up for what's right, not for the shiny appeal of commercial revenue that is corrosive to our quality of life. Convenience and the transitory exigency of a pandemic are poor rationales for the inevitably increased vehicle congestion and degraded air quality drive-thru restaurants engender. We have enough of the kind of traffic along Highway 111 a lot of us left L.A. to escape. We have enough periods of compromised air quality that topography, wind, dust, auto exhaust, and the idiocy of leaf -blowing promote. We don't need drive-thru establishments. We need municipal leadership that prioritizes livability and concern for the planet. Ellen Alperstein Palm Desert Sanchez, Gloria From: Gregg Smith Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2021 2:41 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments; CityhallMail Subject: Comment on 25 Feb 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 (Drive -through ZOA) Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; Palms_CouncilTransmittal2-19-21-GTS.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Good day. Enclosed is a letter of support for the Zoning Ordinance Amendment for drive -through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Gregg T. Smith Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: cityhall@cityofpalmdesert.org City of Palm Desert councilmeetingcomments@cityofpalmdesert.org 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA Mayor and Council Members I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway I I I in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway 11 I that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 3-4 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph; (657) 247-2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 1 11 versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. On a personal note, I've spent considerable time in the Coachella Valley, from visiting grandparents as a child, to spring break in the 1980s as a young adult, to various music festivals, and now regular vacations with my family. It was always a head -scratcher for myself, my friends and family that there were no drive -through restaurants on the]]] in Palm Desert. We would literally plan our day trips around this and stop in another town such as Palm Springs to hit the drive-throughs there. I'm sure that Palm Desert has had good reason for this no -drive -through policy. But over the decades this must have led to a loss of at least tens ofmillions ofdollars in tax revenuefor the city and a decrease in entry-level fastfood jobs for young people and the working poor. I'm extremely grateful that the council is willing to review and hopefully overturn this ordnance. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Gregg T. mith Sanchez, Gloria From: Chris Reedy <creedy@reedyassets.com> Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:05 AM To: CityhallMail Cc: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Pine to Palms Center on Thursday Agenda Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; Pine to Palms Drive thru.docx Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Please see the attached letter regarding the upcoming city council meeting agenda Thank you for the consideration Chris Reedy creedy@reedvassets.com Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email City of Palm Desert 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 cityhall@palmdesert.org councilmeetingcomments@palmdesert.org Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA Mayor and Council Members: I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway 111 in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 3-4 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". With the pandemic, things have clearly changed and the idea of contactless food delivery has never been more desired or necessary. As you probably know, Raising Cane's is a hugely popular to -go destination and will revitalize an otherwise lackluster shopping center. It will certainly drive traffic to that area that would otherwise be lost to surrounding cities. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. To Summarize, Raising Cane's will employ many people along with gentrifying a tired center and provide the Palm Desert residents a contactless point of food delivery Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Chris Reedy Sanchez, Gloria From: harry lipetz Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:55 AM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Drive Thrus Don't become another crappy city with an appearance that mirrors thousands of other crappy highways throughout America. Once you start studies, applications, lobbying etc your done. Put a lid on it now S. Lipetz Sanchez, Gloria From: Jerry Reedy Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 1:46 PM To: CityhallMail; CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Palms to Pines Shopping Center Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; Palms to Pines.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Please see the attached letter in support of the drive -through restaurant concept for this shopping center, especially during these Covid times. Thank you, Jerry Reedy Palms to Pines Shopping Center 5950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 547-2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: cityhall@cityofpalmdesert.org City of Palm Desert councilmeetingcomments@cityofpalmdesert.org 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA Mayor and Council Members: I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway I I I in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway 11 I that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 34 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247-2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 11 I versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, / r Sanchez, Gloria From: Ralph Deppisch <rdeppisch@citivestinc.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:01 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments I support the approval of allowing more drive throughs within the city including Highway 111 To the Council I am an independent consultant in the commercial real estate arena, and have been involved in many commercial retail projects with and with out drive through out parcels and/or stand alone locations. Especially given the negative impact that Covid has had in the casual dining business, and the positive impact it has had on the drive through operators, I believe, and always have , that drive through buildings and surrounding stacking and patio areas, if well done, is a viable asset to the development and/or to the city. It produces jobs -as many as 30-40, a viable option for people to go to order food, and, if designed with an outdoor patio can be an appropriate social arena even during times of health crisis such as Covid. Many of the drive throughs are decreasing indoor dining and adding outdoor patio dining which I think is a plus. Cities such as Indio have incorporated design guidelines that enhance the "look", granted at a bit more cost, but when well done all parties benefit Ralph Sent from Mail for Windows 10 Sanchez, Gloria From: Patrick Charriou < patrick@sageinvestco.com > Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 4:34 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Meeting. of 02/25/2021 - Action Calendar Item No. 13 - Drive -through Restaurants To Whom It May Concern, This email is to express our strong support for Drive -through Restaurants to be approved in the City of Palm Desert, most specifically along Highway 111, West of Monterey, and along Monterey and Cook within a mile from the freeway. I am a retail real estate developer, a former resident and regular visitor of the City of Palm Desert. Both It is my professional and personal experiences the lack of drive -through restaurants in the City is a huge deterrence to desired amenities, new business, and a lack of convenience. In the age of regular and severe Pandemics it's also a matter of safety for all Citizens, not just the Seniors. Drive-throughs can be improved with beautification mitigations, and the less polluting cars (both electric and gas powered) are now game changing the air quality impact of idle cars. Having drive- throughs is now a must -have not just for most Quick service restaurants such as Chipotle and Jamba Juice, but even traditionally sit-down restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Applebees, currently working on prototypes. We hope that the City Council will approve drive -through restaurants, keeping those businesses and corresponding sales taxes within its City borders, and offering its citizens the amenities and services they desire. Thank you, Patrick Charriou I Sage Investco 3837 Birch St I Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.954.6100 Direct I Patrick(o)Saaelnvestco.com www.linkedin.com/in/pcharriou Sanchez, Gloria From: Matt Bush <Matt@woodinvco.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:39 PM To: CityhallMail; CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: February 25, 2021 Council Meeting Agenda Item 13 Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; CouncilTransmittal2-23-21-MWB.pdf; Council Transmittal 2-22-21.pdf; CouncilTransmittal2-19-21-Corrected-Yun.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files Dear Mayor and Council Members, Please find attached three letters of support for Council's consideration of Item 13 on Thursday, February 23rd. Thank you, Matthew Bush Wood Investment Companies 2950 Airway Avenue, Unit A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 0: 657.247.2600 ext. 306 1 C: 949.290.4686 matt@woodinvco.com woodinvco.com Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247-2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: cityhall@cityofpahndesert.org City of Palm Desert councilmeetingcomments@cityofpalmdesert.org 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA Mayor and Council Members I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway I I I in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway I 1 l that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 34 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 111 versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, 7� Matthew Bush Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247-2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: City of Palm Desert 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 cityhall@palmdesert.org councilmeetingcomments@palmdesert.org Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm DesertCA Mayor and Council Members: I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway 11 l in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. I am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway 11 I that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 3-4 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and `Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247-2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 111 versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter Sincerely, Joe Rosenfelt Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247-2600 February 19, 2021 Mayor and City Council via email: cityhall@cityofpalmdesert.org City of Palm Desert councilmeetingcomments@cityofpalmdesert.org 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: February 25, 202I City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA Mayor and Council Members: I am one of the owners of the properties at 72655 — 72705 Highway l I l in Palm Desert known as the Palms to Pines Shopping Center. 1 am writing to you to voice my support of the City initiating a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to identify appropriate zoning districts and develop standards for drive - through restaurants pursuant to Item 13 of the City Council agenda for February 25, 2021. Our site has been selected by Raising Cane's for a new drive -through restaurant, which if approved would replace the existing vacant Chase Bank building along Highway 111. This property is ideally located for a drive -through restaurant as it is a shopping center along a section of Highway I I I that is already occupied by predominantly vehicle oriented daily needs businesses (grocery, pharmacy, shopping mall departments stores, etc.). Due to the vehicle -oriented nature of this section of Highway 111, the impacts of a zoning district in this area that allows drive-throughs would be minimal when compared to other areas of the City that have pedestrian based commercial areas. The benefits of a new drive -through restaurant such as Raising Cane's upon the City of Palm Desert and the potential new zoning district would be manifold. Raising Cane's is a national chain restaurant based in Baton Rouge, LA with over 500 locations in the United States. Each store employs an average of 70 — 80 people with wages starting at $14.00 per hour for each team member. In addition to team members, each store has 3-4 full time management positions with executive level salaries. Further, Glassdoor.com, which is an online job place ratings agency has listed Raising Cane's in the Top 100 places to work in the United States in 2021, 2019, and 2017. Beyond job creation, Raising Cane's is actively involved in each community in which it conducts business. In 2020, Raising Cane's donation values exceeded $8,000,000 through its various channels such as: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Lifestyles, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, and "Everything Else". Raising Cane's store sales in Southern California average $6.5-$7 million annually, and the proposed location in the Palms to Pines Shopping Center is projected at $8,000,000 in annual sales. Raising Cane's is deemed an essential use and has not experienced COVID related shutdowns and in fact has maintained its strong sales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic relying on the extremely limited contact and convenience provided by its drive-throughs. The replacement of a vacant building with an essential use that can securely contribute a portion of its projected $8,000,000 in sales to the City of Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Shopping Center 2950 Airway Avenue, Suite A9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Ph: (657) 247.2600 sales tax proceeds is a major benefit to the City. Finally, the addition of a destination restaurant such as Raising Cane's to our Shopping Center will also drive new customers to our stores including Smart & Final, and to neighboring Shopping Centers whose sales will also directly benefit. Raising Cane's has a strong desire to be an active business and community member in the City of Palm Desert. Their preference for a location along the main commercial thoroughfare of Highway 111 versus a Freeway adjacent site speaks to the tremendous potential of the area for drive -through restaurants. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter S' cerely, B 'an Yun Sanchez, Gloria From: Melanie Bagley <mbagley@hunterdevelopmentgroup.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:55 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Cc: Matt Bush Subject: FW: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Restaurant - City of Palm Desert City Council Meeting 2/25/21 Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; City of Palm Desert Raising Canes.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Good afternoon, My name is Melanie Bagley and I am working as the Property Development Manager for the proposed new Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Restaurant to be located at the intersection of Hwy 111 and El Paseo, in the City of Palm Desert. I'd like to submit the attached letter in support of the owner's request to initiate and identify appropriate zoning districts and development standards for drive -through restaurants in the City of Palm Desert. Should you have any issues opening the file, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Melanie B 11 H DGROUP Melanie Bagley I Dallas Office 972-396-8409 (o) 1214-957-6028 (m) mbaeley0 hunterdeveloomenterouo.com www.hunterdevelopmentgroup.com R 1790 0 Mayor and City Council via email: cityhall@cityofpalmdesrt.org City of Palm Desert Councilmeetingcomments@cityofpalmdesert.org 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: February 25, 2021 City Council Meeting Item 13 — Request for Direction regarding Drive -Through Restaurants in the City of Palm Desert Mayor and Council Members: I am writing to introduce you to the Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Restaurant and how we feel our brand will be an excellent addition to the Palm Desert community. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is developing restaurants all over the world and setting the gold the standard for what high quality chicken finger meals and exceptional customer service should look like. Our vision is to be the brand for great food, excellent crew, cool culture and to continue to be actively involved in our communities. At Cane's we are all about ONE LOVE — chicken finger meals and a commitment to serving the City of Palm Desert in a friendly, clean and successful restaurant. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers was founded on hard work when our owner, Todd Graves himself repurposed a run-down building just outside of the Louisiana Tech University campus. Since that first store, Todd Graves' vision was to provide the communities in which we develop a great place to work, where people could have fun while working hard. At Cane's, we recognize that front line cooks, cashiers and restaurant managers are what make or break a restaurant concept. They are the the face of our company because they serve our customers and because they are responsible for every meal that is served. Our restaurant culture continues to perpetuate the passion and hard work of that of our owner Todd Graves and we believe this is what continues to make our restaurants exceptional. Raising Cane's does not want to be just another restaurant chain in the City of Palm Desert. We are committed to giving back to every community in which each store is located. We want to become an integral part of the community and give back to those that make the company the success that it is. As local business owners, we know we have a responsibility in improving the lives of the people 6800 Bishop Rd, Plano, Texas 70524 t) 972.769.3100 0 972.769.3101 1 www.ralsingcanes.com who make the company the success that it is. Whether it's through educational programs, promoting active lifestyles, supporting local animal shelters or helping to feed the hungry, Raising Cane's finds a way to impact locally. With our cool culture, excellent crew and commitment to being actively involved in our communities, Raising Canes is changing the face of what a fast-food should be. We look forward to being a part of what makes the City of Palm Desert a truly great community. Best regards, Robert Montgomery Director of Property Development 6800 Bishop Rd, Plano, Texas 70524 t) 972.769.3100 f) 972.769.3101 1 www.raisingcanes.com Sanchez, Gloria From: William Choplir Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 IS9 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Drive-thru Restaurants To The Palm Desert City Mayor and Council Members, A recent story in the Desert Sun about the ordinance banning fast food drive-thru restaurants suggests that more people are looking to limit contact with others during the Covid-19 pandemic and the city has received a formal request from commercial developers to allow drive-thru restaurants in areas not already designated. We are contacting you to express our concerns since the topic is included on the 2/25/21 City Council agenda. The pandemic is not a reason to consider lifting the drive-thru ban. The pandemic is progressively fading. All types of restaurants have adapted well to providing takeout food. The number of touch points for preparing and packaging food are the same for every customer. If the restaurants provide online ordering and payment, the only touch point for the customer is picking up the package from the curb, table or shelf at the restaurant. Picking up the package through a drive-thru window is no different. The only contact point variations among restaurants is the method of payment. Drive thru windows will not reduce touch points or contact with others for takeout orders. Real estate developers already have an option for drive-thru restaurants provided by the city near 110 and Monterey. The city is spending millions of dollars to develop San Pablo to be more pedestrian friendly and connect to El Paso and the Civic Center. Lifting the ban will attract more fast food along Hiway 111 and other main streets and destroy the unique ambiance of these areas. Other types of restaurants may be discouraged from locating in zones that allow fast food with or without drive-thru. Tourist and residents are not coming to Palm Desert for fast food. The request to lift the ban is coming from commercial developers not residents. The letters to the city from the Palms to Pines Shopping Center owners state that they expect Raising Cane annual sales to be $8M. The Palm Desert sales tax of 1% will generate $80k for the city. The city has been fiscally well managed through the pandemic. We can forego the $80k and preserve the city's reputation as a first class destination and place to live. We request the council decline to use anymore of city staff resources to evaluate drive-thru restaurants and not change the relevant zoning ordinance. Thank you for your service, William Choplin and Nancy Nowak Palm Desert Sanchez, Gloria From: June Engblom Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:31 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Drive thru restaurants Palm Desert is a clean and quiet city. We are unique for many reasons. If we allow drive thru restaurants on 111 the air quality will suffer, trash will be on the streets, we will resemble any city in any town USA..The restaurants we currently have will be likely to relocate to places where they can install drive thru lanes, thereby leaving vacancies in their current locations. The ones along the ten are suitable for highway traffic to hop off, patronize our city and then hop back on along their way to Phoenix or LA. Let's keep the unique feel that has made PD a desired residential location for decades. I say NO to drive thru restaurants on 111. Thankyou June Engblom 1:111MT:1r1 Sent from my iPhone Sanchez, Gloria From: Karla Lewis Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:59 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: drive -through restaurants along Hwy 111 Thank you for taking comments regarding the issue of changing the city regulations regarding drive -through restaurants in the city. One of the things that I love about Palm Desert and led to me moving here full-time, was the city's stance on environmental issues as seen on the website. Living in the desert has its issues .... how does one live in a very warm climate with little water surrounded by desert? Being considerate about the environment and the quality of life, whether the issue is water usage or air quality is an important stance to take. I feel it is imperative to not have drive -through restaurants in the city. It is most appropriate to keep them near the interstate where people can hop on and off the road for a bite to eat. We have plenty of sit-down restaurants in town, and with Covid protocols in place now, there is only outdoor seating. Idling cars nearby would not be pleasant, plus the air quality would be diminished for all. Thank you for listening and taking the public's comments into consideration. Karla Lewis Palm Desert, CA 92260 1 Sanchez, Gloria From: Greg Feis Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:52 PM To: CouncilMeeting Comments Subject: Palm Desert drive -through Hello, I am a resident and homeowner in Palm Desert, and I strongly oppose allowing drive-throughs near 111. 1 think this would create traffic issues and unsafe conditions, and would detract from the character of that area of Palm Desert. Thank you, Greg Feis