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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGENERAL PLAN UPDATE CITY OF PALM DESERT GPA 16-261 - FILE 4 2016 (4) APPENDICES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
3.0-1 CITY OF PALM DESERT
GENERAL PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
APRIL 15, 2016
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
City Staff
Rudy Acosta, Assistant City Manager
Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development*
Martin Alvarez, Economic Development Director
Janet Moore, Director of Housing
Mark Greenwood, Public Works Director
David Hermann, Management Analyst
Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer
City Council
Robert A. Spiegel, Mayor
Jan Harnik, Mayor Pro Tem
Susan Marie Weber, Council Member
Sabby Jonathan, Council Member
Van Tanner, Council Member
Planning Commission
Ken Stendell, Chairperson
John Greenwood, Vice Chair
Sonia Campbell
Nancy DeLuna
Joseph Pradetto
* indicates person no longer with the listed organization
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Vision & Guiding Principles ...........................................1
Introduction .................................................................11
Land Use & Community Character ..............................21
Mobility .......................................................................51
Health & Wellness .......................................................77
Environmental Resources ............................................87
Noise .........................................................................101
Safety .........................................................................109
Public Utilities & Services ..........................................131
City Center Area Plan.................................................139
Housing (Not Part of This Update) ............................197
Work Plan ..................................................................199
CHAPTER 1: VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN| 1
1. VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Overview
In 2013, more than 100 interested residents, business owners, and
policy makers worked together to develop a 20-year strategic plan for
the City. The yearlong process and resulting document, the 2013-2033
Strategic Plan, “Envision Palm Desert - Forward Together”, laid the
groundwork and direction for this General Plan Update. The
community members developed an overall community vision,
priorities, strategies, action steps, and measures of success, many of
which directly and indirectly pertain to the city’s built environment.
The Vision, Guiding Principles, and supporting content presented in
this chapter are built on the great work of the community in 2013 in
developing the 2013-2033 Envision Palm Desert Strategic Plan.
Vision Statement
Palm Desert is the heart of California’s Coachella Valley. Our intent is to create a town
with great neighborhoods, anchored by a true downtown and a vibrant, walkable
university center, connected by safe, comfortable streets for all users.
Today, Palm Desert serves as a landmark city for residents and visitors alike. From
recreation to arts to educational opportunities, our city offers a safe and stable
community while benefiting from the tourism industry and all the diversity and culture
it brings to Palm Desert. Tomorrow, Palm Desert will embrace our love for the arts,
our unique culture, the environment we inhabit, and the industries that allow us to
progress as a happy and healthy community.
Palm Desert’s outstanding quality of life offers residents and visitors of all ages a wide
array of recreational, educational, shopping, housing and entertainment opportunities
as well as arts and cultural activities and world-class events in a uniquely beautiful
desert environment. This premier resort destination is a thriving, safe and sustainable
community that attracts innovative employers by virtue of its diverse, highly qualified
workforce and synergistic business, civic and educational partnerships.
We will be the leading educational hub in the region. We will provide excellent
educational opportunities and serve as an invaluable research and development
resource for innovation in the region. Through improved training, education, and
Inspirational pedestrian walkway
Inspirational downtown buildings
CHAPTER 1: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
2 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
innovation opportunities, our educational institutions will help to keep our economy
diverse and resilient.
Our tourism market will remain a valuable core of our local economy. The retail,
recreation, and hospitality sectors of our economy will strengthen as we diversify
other industries to ensure a diverse and resilient local economy. The City Center will
develop into a world class downtown, providing residents and visitors with an
experience that is rich and highly accessible with walkable destinations.
We will continue to protect and enhance the striking and unique natural setting that
makes Palm Desert special, and we will continue to be leading environmental
stewards in the Coachella Valley. We will foster an environment that protects our
residents and visitors. We will continue to protect the scenic desert environment that
surrounds us as we adapt to climate pressures, and to protect our sensitive resources.
Through the implementation of this General Plan, the city will develop so as to be
more welcoming and accessible to both its residents and its visitors. The city’s
important centers, such as the downtown and the university area, will develop into
attractive, walkable hubs of social and economic activity. We will continue to
celebrate our strengths and explore our opportunities to establish new industries, and
enhance our community and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.
Envision Palm Desert Strategic Results
Areas
The 2013-2033 Strategic Plan, Envision Palm Desert - Forward Together identifies nine
Strategic Results Areas ranging from arts and culture to transportation. Each sets out
mini-visions, priorities, strategies, action plans, and measures of success. Below are
highlights from all nine. These mini vision statements have helped guide this General
Plan Update and will continue to serve to guide City decision making.
Arts & Culture: The plan envisions Palm Desert as the cultural core of the
Coachella Valley. Priorities are to assess the current arts and cultural landscape,
explore the viability of creating an arts and culture district, and develop secure and
sustainable funding for arts and culture.
Economic Development: The vision builds on Palm Desert’s strengths in
business, education, arts, and tourism to provide an inviting economic climate offering
lifestyle, education, and investment opportunities. Priorities are to increase job and
business opportunities, expand quality education to ensure that residents are
prepared to serve in a workforce of the future, to create and attract entertainment
and events that grow the economy and improve the quality of life, and enhance and
raise awareness of business-friendly services to retain and attract business.
Education: The Strategic Plan envisions an education destination offering world-
class programs providing lifelong learning opportunities and an engaged and informed
community. Priorities are to create and support a community-based education
coalition that will focus on graduation rates, attract and retain students of all ages by
providing outstanding academic and cultural programs, and create community
awareness of, and support for, the building blocks of student and career success.
Cultural Influences in Palm Desert
Community activities in Palm Desert
CHAPTER 1: VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN| 3
Energy & Sustainability: The vision is to be a responsible steward of the city’s
natural resources. Priorities are to reduce per-capita consumption of energy and
water, promote greater use of sustainable materials with an eye upon the needs of
future generations, encourage all new construction to be net zero energy in design
and exceed the Coachella Valley Water District’s efficiency standards, and encourage
property owners to reduce energy and water consumption.
Land Use, Housing & Open Space: The vision is a well-planned and
developed city with a vibrant city core; natural open space; and housing, business, and
community revitalization opportunities. Priorities are to enhance Palm Desert as a
first-class destination for premier shopping and national, regional, and neighborhood
retail businesses, to expand Palm Desert as an educational hub, to facilitate
development of high-quality housing for people of all income levels, and to develop
creative and innovative zoning and incentives that promote education and high-quality
residences and encourages a balance between housing and jobs.
Parks & Recreation: The Strategic Plan envisions parks, open spaces, and
recreational opportunities as drivers of innovation and a high quality of life. Priorities
are to fund park maintenance and plan for future replacement and growth, assure a
continuing flow of innovative ideas through creative partnerships, and provide
adequate staffing. Other priorities include encouraging resident input, promoting
healthy community principles by incorporating recreational and exercise opportunities
in all public spaces, planning and developing the North Sphere Regional Park, and
evaluating the need for expansion of the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
Public Safety & Emergency Services: The vision is for a high quality of life
for Palm Desert as a result of its comprehensive public safety services. Priorities are to
continually enhance the delivery of public safety services, increase methods of crime
prevention through expanded community participation, and help the community be
more prepared for disasters and public safety emergencies.
Tourism & Marketing: The plan envisions a year-round international resort
destination offering a wellness lifestyle, exemplary hotels, arts, entertainment,
shopping, recreational, and education opportunities for all ages. Priorities are to
improve access to the city and its attractions, to grow existing events and develop new
events to enhance the desirability of Palm Desert year-round, to attract new and
developing markets (culinary, medical, cultural tourism, business, sports, film industry,
emerging international markets and those for younger demographics), and to support
Palm Desert tourism through enhanced marketing.
Transportation: The vision is of a community with safe, convenient, and efficient
transportation options for residents and visitors. Priorities are to create walkable
neighborhoods in residential, retail, and open space areas to reduce the use of low
occupancy vehicles; revitalize the Highway 111 corridor through land use and other
improvements; and emphasize multiple modes of travel including carpooling, bus
riding, cycling and walking.
Inspirational downtown mixed-use
Downtown activities and tourism
Separated bicycle and walk way
CHAPTER 1: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
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Guiding Principles
The successful realization of the Vision and effective implementation of the Envision
Palm Desert Strategic Plan rely on the city’s ability to strengthen its sense of
community identity and unique character for residents and Palm Desert visitors. To do
this, we will focus on people and creating a human-oriented and human-scaled town.
This is a cross-cutting topic that is pivotal to the achievement of so many of the
Strategic Plan objectives, including expanded and diversified economic development
opportunities, a successful university area, expanded tourism opportunities, improved
energy and sustainability, diverse and high-quality neighborhoods, improved
community health, improved transportation options, and community safety
enhancements. To achieve Palm Desert’s Vision for the future, the City will focus on
the following principles:
1. Human scale design. First and foremost, our city is a place for people. It is a
place for people to live, to work, to learn, to shop, and to play. By planning and
designing Palm Desert with people as the primary focus, the city will continue to serve
as a destination that entices visitors, and to endure as a community with a high quality
of life that attracts the best and the brightest residents, students, and businesses. To
ensure we are designing for the human scale, we must do several things. We must
maintain a moderate density and scale: just enough to create interest and activity, but
not so much as to overwhelm people and not so little as to dilute the sense of place or
inhibit walking and bicycling. Buildings should be unique and interesting to appeal to
people experiencing them in person and improve their experience of Palm Desert and
improve walk appeal. The public realm, comprised of our buildings, open spaces, and
roadways, must be designed to create safe and comfortable places for pedestrians
with convenient, safe, and easy street crossings; and convenient, close access to
buildings. Our alternative is to continue the 50-year trend in Southern California of
designing for the automobile first. Cars are an important part of our transportation
system, but too great an emphasis on accommodating the automobile has made
walking and bicycling as part of daily life difficult, leading to increased air pollution and
a variety of public health issues.
2. Create lively centers. We want places for our residents and visitors to
congregate, especially for commerce and socializing. Lively city centers are the
physical forum for gathering, business, shopping, and the exchange of ideas. To create
lively centers, we need to provide for a mix of uses, sufficient scale and density to
make the places interesting and attractive, and to include housing within and near the
centers. Establishing vibrant, active nodes around the 111 corridor and the University
is critical to implementing the Strategic Plan Vision. Smaller centers throughout the
city are also necessary in order to serve our various neighborhoods.
3. Streets for all. We ask a lot of our streets. We want safe, convenient, and easy
automobile travel. We want efficient goods movement. We also need to provide our
residents and visitors with legitimate choices as to how they get around our town.
Everyone should have the option of meeting some, if not all, of their daily needs by
means other than automobiles. To accomplish this, this General Plan provides for a
layered transportation network that will expand choice by providing new
opportunities for walking, bicycling, and transit. We recognize the importance of the
Lively outdoor centers
Human scale mixed use
Separated bicycle path
CHAPTER 1: VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN| 5
automobile, we will continue to accommodate its valuable role in our community, and
we will expand our transportation infrastructure by improving our pedestrian network
and expanding our bicycle network.
4. Accessibility and connectivity. As we think about our new buildings,
districts, neighborhoods, and corridors and making sure they are designed for people
first, we also need to ensure that we are working towards the creation of a town with
great accessibility and great connectivity. To date, Palm Desert has been very
successful at capitalizing on the value created by separated uses. Now we are going to
capitalize on the value potential of creating connected places. Research shows that
more connected and compact street networks with fewer lanes on major roads are
highly correlated with reduced rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and
heart disease among residents. Research also shows innumerable economic benefits
of walkable places. With this General Plan, we will seek accessibility and connectivity
in our new neighborhoods and our centers so as to capitalize on the health and
economic benefits of walkable places.
5. Quality open space. Our residents are people with great affection and
appreciation for the outdoors. The city’s setting is unique and strikingly beautiful. Our
residents are also active and health minded. As such, we need a city with an extensive
supply and variety of quality open spaces. These open spaces will be comprised of
small neighborhood parks, plazas, sports fields, and natural areas. They will serve to
provide places to gather, places to play, and visual and emotional relief from the built
areas of town. In part, new development will help provide for these open space
resources. Our community will reap the benefits. Increasing the quantity and quality
of parks increases the amount of time children exercise, decreases their risk of chronic
diseases, and even reduces juvenile delinquency. Adults who live closer to open
spaces report reduced stress and fatigue, improved mental health, and higher self-
rated health. Children diagnosed with ADHD receive as much benefit from walking in a
park as they do from leading medication therapies. Living closer to green space is also
associated with decreased cardiovascular and respiratory disease mortality in men.
Considering the human and economic costs of these diseases, parks begin to look like
a particularly attractive investment.
Focus Areas
This General Plan is a long-term strategy that will be implemented over the course of
decades. If we are to be successful at achieving the realization of our vision, we must
keep our efforts focused and work to achieve early successes. Only then should we
consider broadening our list of efforts or strategies. The following are the most
important General Plan opportunity areas. Figure 1.1 shows how these areas of town
reflect the various degrees of change envisioned by this General Plan. These areas are
broadly categorized as preserve, enhance, and transform, and describe areas of the
city that have the greatest opportunities or likelihood for change. It should be noted
that change is meant in a very general sense and is not meant to be limited to changes
in density, intensity, or land uses. These changes might also include reinvestment and
reconstruction of existing uses, roadway improvements, or infrastructure investment.
Palm Desert public transit stop
Open Space in Palm Desert
CHAPTER 1: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
6 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Figure 1.1 Degrees of Change
CHAPTER 1: VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN| 7
Downtown. The Strategic Plan made a very strong case for both the desire for a
true city center as well as the economic and community benefits of having a true
city center. A city center, or downtown, is compact and moderate in scale, has a mix
of uses, has a range of housing types, and is easy and comfortable to navigate on
foot. The city center is the heart of the town and the center of social, civic, and
commercial activity. Few cities in southern California have authentic downtowns
and the creation of one in Palm Desert will be a distinguishing milestone on the path
towards creating a stronger sense of place and a more competitive city. Because this
strategy is such an important component of the Envision Palm Desert Strategic Plan,
it will be critical for the City to focus efforts and resources on the successful
implementation of the plan. Similarly, the City will focus on creating a spark of
excitement by starting the evolution of the City Center with the transformation of
the San Pablo center.
University Area. The creation of both a California State University and a
University of California campus within Palm Desert is an enormous economic
opportunity for both the city and the entire Coachella Valley. The campuses provide
the City with new opportunities for educating residents, attracting new talent to the
valley in the way of both faculty and students, and attracting investment related to
university operations. The first step towards these opportunities was completed with
the City donating the land for the campus. Into the future, the City will need to
continue to work with and support the development of the campus. More
importantly, the City will need to ensure that the lands around the universities are
developed in a way that maximizes connectivity and accessibility. Through a strategy
of connectivity and accessibility, the City will capitalize on the greatest possible value
of creating a university area. To help achieve this outcome, the City will also prepare a
University Neighborhood Specific Plan, which will provide detailed design guidance
for the neighborhoods near the universities and the roads that connect the area
internally and with the rest of the city. This area of Palm Desert would also be an
ideal location for a future Metrolink station, when that service reached the Valley.
Similarly, this area of the city would be ideal for mass transit such as Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) or Light Rail. In each case, such infrastructure would help connect the
University Area and Palm Desert, improving inter-valley and regional connectivity.
Cook Street Corridor. The Cook Street Corridor will serve an important function
into the future as the center of the University Area, connecting the university campus
with the neighborhoods and centers to the west. Cook Street will also become a very
important connector across the city, connecting the University Area, the various
resorts along Cook Street, and the City Center via Fred Waring and 111. With the I-
10/Portola interchange set to come online within the next few years, the city will have
increased regional access, providing new opportunities to enhance Cook Street as a
multi-modal corridor that connects the city’s two most important centers.
Vision Diagram
Figure 1.2, Vision Diagram, presents a conceptual map that illustrates how the City’s
vision, guiding principles, and strategy of prioritization can come together in the form
of a land use and transportation plan. This diagram served as the basis of the land use
and transportation plans presented in the following elements.
Inspirational downtown festivals
Inspirational streetscape and public realm
Inspirational streetscape furniture and shade
trees
CHAPTER 1: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
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Figure 1.2 Vision Diagram
CHAPTER 1: VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN| 9
Measuring Success
How to Measure Success
The General Plan will be implemented over an extended period of time that will likely
span several decades. During this time, long-range planning efforts will continue using
the General Plan goals and polices as a guide. However, the General Plan is a living
document. State law allows it to be updated and refined over the coming decades. In
fact, State law encourages annual reviews of implementation actions and
recommends that the entire General Plan be thoroughly reviewed every five years to
ensure that it is still consistent with the community’s goals.
Part of this ongoing annual review of the General Plan should include objective
monitoring of progress towards success. A table of indicators can be found in Chapter
12, the Work Plan.
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CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 11
2. INTRODUCTION
Overview
This Chapter describes the purpose for the General Plan. This chapter
also includes information on how to use the General Plan and
considerations for its long-term maintenance.
Purpose
The Palm Desert General Plan charts the path for Palm Desert’s future and is the
principal tool for guiding the physical form and development of the City. At the same
time, it is a visionary document that lays out the community’s long-term goals and
objectives for the future. It contains the City’s official policies on land use and
community design, mobility, housing, infrastructure, economics, health, and public
facilities and services. Its purpose is to identify planning goals; provide a basis for
decision-making; and inform citizens, developers, decision-makers, and other cities of
the ground rules for development within Palm Desert.
The General Plan is used by the City Council and Planning Commission to evaluate
public and private development proposals and to make funding and budget decisions.
It is used by city staff to direct their day-to-day activities, particularly those related to
building and development. It is used by residents and neighborhood groups to
understand the City’s long-range plans and proposals for different parts of the City.
The entirety of this document, including the vision, guiding principles, goals, policies,
actions, various maps and diagrams, and figures shall be understood to be the City’s
official policy guiding the physical design and construction of Palm Desert.
Need for General Plan Update
In 2013, more than 100 interested residents, business owners, and policy makers
worked together to develop a 20-year strategic plan for the City. The yearlong process
and resulting document, the 2013-2033 Strategic Plan, Envision Palm Desert - Forward
Together (“Envision Palm Desert”), laid the groundwork and direction for this General
Plan Update. The community members developed an overall community vision,
priorities, strategies, action steps, and measures of success. Envision Palm Desert
identified the City’s Vision and several important strategies that pertain to planning,
land use and transportation including:
• Expand economic competitiveness
• Build on tourism, education, arts, and business successes
El Paseo, Palm Desert
CHAPTER 2: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
12 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
• Enhance quality of life
• Attract new employers
• Leverage universities
• Create an authentic downtown
• Anticipate new demographics and market trends
• Capitalize on the city’s outstanding climate and geography
• Expand access throughout the City
Given the connections to planning, land use, and transportation, the Strategic Plan
recommended that the City prepare a General Plan Update. The General Plan Update
seeks to bring the plan up-to-date by:
• Creating updated policies for achieving the priorities set forth in the Strategic
Plan for: Arts & Culture; Economic Development; Education; Energy &
Sustainability; Land Use, Housing & Open Space; Parks & Recreation; Public
Safety & Emergency Services; Tourism & Marketing, and Transportation.
• Creating policies and framework to foster the development of a true city
center/downtown.
• Creating policies and implementation actions to further enhance the city’s
leading sustainability and energy efficiency efforts.
As such, this General Plan update is serving as an implementation tool of the City’s 20-
year strategic plan, providing a road map for the physical changes to City envisioned
by the community.
Geography and Location
The City of Palm Desert is located in the center of the Coachella Valley, which is in the
geographic center of Riverside County. The city is bordered by Rancho Mirage to the
west and Indian Wells to the south and east, and the unincorporated community of
Bermuda Dunes to the east. The existing city limits generally extend southward from
Interstate 10, past Highway 111 and along Highway 74 to the foot of the Santa Rosa
Mountains between Monterey Avenue and Washington Street. The City’s Sphere of
Influence (SOI) encompasses areas to the north and south of the city, including
portions of the Santa Rosa Mountains south of the city limits and the unincorporated
communities of Bermuda Dunes to the east, and Sun City Palm Desert north of
Interstate 10. Figure 2.1 depicts the Palm Desert City Limits, SOI and location relative
to other nearby cities or communities.
Palm Desert cultural influences
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 13
Figure 2.1 Palm Desert City Limits & SOI
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14 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
History
Regarded as the geographic center of Coachella Valley, the City of Palm Desert and the
surrounding San Bernardino basin were first settled by the Cahuilla tribe. Primarily a
farming community, evidence of Cahuilla settlements date back an estimated 2,000-
2,500 years. In 1774, Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza arrived in the Coachella
Valley where he established a trade route between the Monterey-Sonoma area and
Southern California, known as Alta California.
Over the next century, trade flourished throughout the Coachella Valley region,
leading to the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the establishment of a
major station in Indio by 1876. Wells, reservoirs and farms were constructed over the
next several decades. In 1943, the first residential area was developed in conjunction
with an Army camp, and in 1945, brothers Randall, Carl, Clifford, and Phil Henderson,
successfully founded the 1,600- acre Town of Palm Desert. Regarded as Palm Desert’s
founding fathers, Clifford, Carl, Randall, and Phil Henderson successfully developed
Palm Desert by balancing desert terrain with monumental projects. Clifford was
known as the visionary who built large scale projects in surrounding cities, while
Randall was known ans the expert on desert and mountain environment. The brothers
envisioned a desert oasis were Randall could relocate his publishing plant and then
editor of “Desert Magazine”. Soon after, Palm Desert became a resort town featuring
the Shadow Mountain Club enticing visitors with cottages, restaurants, a golf course,
tennis courts, stables and figure-eight swimming pool. It became a regular retreat for
celebrities, politicians, and affluent families. Within two years, Palm Desert
transformed into business and entertainment hub with the establishment of El Paseo,
a visionary commercial and up-scale shopping district that would become the regional
destination it is today.
The initial spark of development along Highway 111 and El Paseo may be attributed to
two major anchors: the city’s first U.S. Post Office (1947), and the opening of the
Desert Magazine Building (1948), a 17,000 square-foot commercial building housing
the Desert Magazine, local newspapers, an art gallery, gem shop, and bookstore. By
1953, Palm Desert included 30 miles of roads, over 150 homes, and 14 hotels. Private
investment in the town totaled an estimated $3.5 million (or $45 million, as adjusted
for inflation).
Early on, Palm Desert became known as the, “Golf Capitol of the World;” however, the
city’s developments and reputation quickly diversified throughout the 1960s and 70s,
with the city doubling in size and population every 3.5 years. Between 1980 and 2000,
the Palm Desert grew from 11,000 to 41,000 residents. The City of Palm Desert was
officially incorporated in November 1973, and later re-incorporated as a California
Charter City in 1997. By 2010, the City had a reported population of 48,445, with a
median household income of $53,456 (U.S. Census). While Palm Desert’s historic core
is centered around Highway 111 and El Paseo, the completion of Interstate 10 in the
1960s shifted much of the city’s development activity to the north including:
residential neighborhoods, golf resorts, university campuses, retail centers and
industrial facilities.
Palm Desert in 1954
Historic Palm Desert
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 15
Statutory Requirements
The General Plan is governed by California Government Code, which requires that
“each planning agency shall prepare and the legislative body of each county and city
shall adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of
the county or city” (California Government Code §65300).
Within this general requirement, some aspects of the general plan are tightly
prescribed, while others are left to the discretion of individual cities or counties. In
sum, the general plan:
• Must set forth a “statement of development policies” that includes
“objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals,” and must include
seven mandatory elements – land use, circulation, housing, conservation,
open space, noise and safety – as well as any optional elements the City
chooses. (Gov’t Code § 65302).
• Must be an “internally consistent and compatible statements of policies.”
(Gov’t Code § 65300.5).
• “. . . may include any other subjects which, in the judgment of the legislative
body, relate to the physical development of the county or city.” (Gov’t Code
§ 65303).
• Should “accommodate local conditions and circumstances” (Gov’t Code §
65300.7)
• “. . .may be adopted in any format deemed appropriate or convenient by the
legislative body, including the combining of elements,” provided it meets
other minimum requirements (Gov’t Code § 65301).
Plan Organization
This General Plan meets the above legal requirements and also introduces some
discretionary elements the City has deemed appropriate. This is sanctioned by
California law, which allows a general plan to “include any other subjects [that] relate
to the physical development of the…city” (California Government Code §65303).
These topics include urban form and character, public health, economic development,
infrastructure, and arts and culture. While part of the General Plan, the Housing
Element is a stand-alone volume that is updated more frequently than the other
elements. The Housing Element is not a part of this General Plan Update.
To start the General Plan planning process, an Existing Conditions Report was
prepared to collect and analyze data on current planning issues in Palm Desert for
each of the aforementioned topic areas. The Existing Conditions Report should be
referenced for additional background information on the Palm Desert General Plan.
General Plan Chapters
Vision and Guiding Principles
The opening chapter of the General Plan lays out a vision for the City of Palm Desert
that the community is striving towards. The vision is intended to be realized over the
course of one or two generations of thoughtful growth and development. It is
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expected that the vision will help guide decisions relating to new development and
updates of the City’s various plans and ordinances.
Introduction
The Introduction provides background on the reasons for updating the General Plan,
including a brief synopsis of the challenges and opportunities facing the City. This
chapter also describes the role of the General Plan, how it is intended to be used and
administered, and an overview of the Plan.
Land Use and Community Character
This element presents the approach to land use and community character, in addition
to policies regarding the fiscal health of the City. Within this element are the General
Plan land use designations, the designation map, goals and policies describing the
community’s preferences and priorities for the character and appearance of the City.
In addition, this element discussions historic preservation, strategies for in-fill
development, discussion of local arts, employment, and resort & tourism. This
element also presents approaches to creating a walkable city that is well connected
and accessible to all members of the community.
Mobility
This element presents the approach to transportation, addressing access and mobility
within the City. Included in this element are descriptions of street types and the
circulation network map as well as goals and policies addressing existing and future
transportation facilities in Palm Desert for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. This
element addresses multi-occupant modes of transportation, identifying local and
regional circulation issues, and outlines an open space trail network.
Health & Wellness
This element presents the community’s priorities for realizing a healthier community.
It includes goals and policies that address existing community health concerns as well
approaches to managing new development to prevent future health issues. It covers
topics such as accessible healthcare, air quality, healthy eating, active living, and parks
and recreation.
Environmental Resources
This element presents the community’s approach for dealing with archaeological and
cultural resources, biological resources, water resources, air quality, energy resources,
and open space and conservation.
Safety
This element contains the community’s approach to reducing the potential risks
resulting from natural and environmental hazards such as earthquakes, floods, fire
and extreme weather. The element contains goals and policies that will help guide the
City’s decisions related to new development and the risks to the health, safety, and
welfare of local hazards.
Noise
This element addresses the approach for minimizing the community’s exposure to
harmful noise levels. The element analyzes and quantifies future noise levels. It
Local landmark and community
character
Inspirational pedestrian and bicycle
safety and mobility
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 17
includes a map summarizing the results, and presents goals and policies for managing
exposure to excessive noise.
Public Services and Utilities
This element addresses public services and utilities across the City. More specifically,
this element includes information regarding water utilities, public buildings and
facilities, police and fire protection, schools and libraries, and emergency response.
City Center Area Plan
The City Center Area Plan presents a vision for the future of the greater Highway 111
corridor area, including El Paseo, the San Pablo corridor, and the Civic Center. It
provides a vision, a summary of the community input, guiding principles, goals, and
policies for transforming the 111 corridor area into Palm Desert’s downtown.
Implementation actions for the City Center Area Plan are contained within Chapter 12,
Implementation.
Implementation
The General Plan provides a vision for the future of Palm Desert and guidance about
how to attain that future. City staff, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and
other boards and commissions, as part of their duties to the City, will carry out the
goals and policies of the plan. Plan implementation will be achieved through the
adoption, implementation and revision of the municipal code, annual budget, capital
improvements program, and through on-going decisions about development
proposals. Indeed, all City programs, policies and actions must be made consistent
with this General Plan to meet state requirements.
To assist with the effort of implementing this General Plan, the final chapter,
Implementation, provides a list of actions that the City will undertake to carry out the
vision. Each action includes a description, a level of priority, a timeframe for
accomplishing the tasks, and the responsible parties for each action. This chapter also
includes a list of major physical improvements known at the time of writing and
indicators to measure the successful implementation of the General Plan.
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18 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Housing Element
In addition to the above chapters, the General Plan also includes the State-mandated
Housing Element. Since the Housing Element is updated more frequently than the rest
of the General Plan, it is contained in a separate volume and is not being updated at
this time.
How to Use this General Plan
Each element of the General Plan is organized with the following sections:
• Intent and Overview A summary of the scope and purpose of the element.
• Statutory Requirements A short explanation of the mandatory state
requirements for each element – what must be included in the section to be certified
as a legally binding document.
• Context A summary of the issues facing the community. The issues serve as
background for the goals and policies and are derived from the Existing Conditions
Report prepared as part of this General Plan update.
• Goals and Policies Each element contains goals and policies responding to the
key issues associated with achieving the community’s vision, and are intended to
provide clear direction in how the City will implement the overall vision of this plan.
Together, the General Plan language creates a hierarchy of goals and policies that will
be mandated, encouraged, or allowed by the City over the next 20 years.
Goals and Policies
Each element of this General Plan contains goals and policies. Implementation actions
are included in Chapter 12 “Implementation,” but are organized by the same topics as
each chapter. All of these guide decision-making, and are defined as follows;
• Goals Overall statement describing the envisioned end state for the community.
Goals are broad in both purpose and aim, but are designed specifically to establish
directions and outcomes. The following is an example of a goal:
Land Use Goal 1: Quality Spaces. A beautiful city with a balance of high quality
open spaces and high quality urban areas.
• Policies Specific position statements that support the achievement of goals and
serve as guides to the City Council, Planning Commission, other City commissions and
boards, and City staff when reviewing development proposals and making other
decisions. Policies seek to achieve the goals by mandating, encouraging, or permitting
certain actions. Certain policies are critical and must be implemented. Thus,
compliance with the policy or action is mandatory. Language used to describe this
intent includes will, must, require, prohibit, conduct, maintain and implement. Other
policies are strongly encouraged by the City but total implementation may not be
possible, thus compliance is not mandatory. Language used to describe this intent
Inspirational multi-family housing
Inspirational mixeduse
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 19
includes should, may, encourage, consider, explore, allow, discourage and promote.
The following is an example of a policy in the Palm Desert General Plan:
Land Use Policy 1.1: Phasing of public facilities. Require new parks, open spaces
and public facilities be constructed concurrent with, or prior to, the development
of each neighborhood. All required parks, open spaces and public facilities should
be constructed before 75 percent of the dwelling units are constructed.
Maps, Diagrams, and Graphics
The General Plan is supported by a variety of maps, diagrams and illustrations, which
reinforce the text of each element. Graphics are incorporated into the General Plan to
delineate land use and circulation patterns, community focal points, open space and
recreation facilities, biological and cultural resources, and areas requiring special
consideration or study. Important or significant environmental resource and hazard
areas are also mapped, as well as public and quasi-public facilities. These official maps
carry equal authority to the goals and policies of the General Plan.
Consistency with the General Plan
Development proposals and infrastructure projects must be analyzed and tested for
consistency with the goals, policies, and programs in every applicable element of the
General Plan, regardless of whether they are initiated by a developer or the City. On
an ongoing basis, the City must assure and maintain consistency of the General Plan
with adopted Specific Plans and the City Zoning Ordinance. Similarly, each year, the
Capital Inprovements Program shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission to
ensure the City’s planned infrastructure investments are consistent with this General
Plan. This test of General Plan compliance is also a required criterion for determining
significant impacts under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Interpretation of the General Plan
In the event uncertainty exists regarding the location of boundaries of any land use
category, proposed public facility symbol, circulation alignment, or other symbol or
line found on the official maps of the General Plan, the following procedures will be
used to resolve such uncertainty.
Boundaries shown in the General Plan and on official maps as approximately following
the limits of any municipal corporation are to be construed as following these limits.
Boundaries shown as following or approximately following section lines, half or
quarter section lines shall be construed as following such lines.
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Where a land use category applied to a parcel is not mapped to include an adjacent
street or alley, the category shall be considered to extend to the centerline of the right
of way. Boundaries shown as separated from, parallel, or approximately parallel to any
of the features listed above shall be construed to be parallel to such features and at
such distances therefrom as are shown on the map. Symbols that indicate appropriate
locations for proposed public facilities are not property-specific. Rather, they indicate
only the general area within which a specific facility should be established.
Maintenance and Update of the General Plan
The Palm Desert General Plan will be implemented over an extended period of time
(20+ years, with a time horizon of 2040). During this time, the long-range planning
efforts for Palm Desert will continue using the goals and objectives as a guide.
However, a general plan is a living document, and presents the outcomes desired by
the community based on their current goals and local conditions. As the city grows
and changes, it may become necessary to amend specific policies and implementation
actions as economic and demographic conditions change while new ideas about
growth and conservation are formed. In fact, State Law encourages annual reviews of
implementation actions and recommends that the entire General Plan be thoroughly
reviewed every five years to ensure it is still consistent with the community’s goals.
Any part of a general plan may be amended to accommodate changing conditions.
Property owners, the Planning Commission, the City Council, or City staff may propose
amendments. Proposed changes must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and
the City Council at public hearings and the potential of environmental impacts must be
evaluated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Community members, neighborhood groups and local organizations are encouraged
to get involved in the on-going planning efforts of the City and to participate in the
implementation of the General Plan. By active, thoughtful involvement, residents can
be part of the process of shaping and growing Palm Desert to make it an even more
active, prosperous and welcoming city than it is today.
Annual Review
California Government Code requires that the planning agency “render an annual
report to the legislative body (City Council) on the status of the Plan and the progress
in its implementation” (Section 65400(b)). State law further requires that the Housing
Element be reviewed and updated at least once every eight (8) years. As part of this
review, the City will consider progress in the context of the indicators presented
within this General Plan. Similarly, each year, the Capital Inprovements Program shall
be reviewed by the Planning Commission to ensure the planned infrastructure
investments are consistent with this General Plan.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 21
3. LAND USE & COMMUNITY CHARACTER
Overview
This Element provides a long-term vision, goals and policies for land use
and development in Palm Desert over the next 20 to 30 years. Topics
covered include land use designations, economic development, natural
and built environment connections, higher education, historic
preservation, local arts, local employment, resorts and tourism, and
walkability.
Statutory Requirements
California law (Government Code Section 65302(a)) requires that a city’s general plan
include:
“… a land use element which designates the proposed general distribution and general
location and extent of uses of the land for housing, business, industry and open space,
including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty,
public buildings and grounds, solid waste disposal facilities and other categories of
public and private uses of land. The land use element shall include a statement of the
standards of population density and building intensity recommended for the various
districts and other territory covered by the plan.”
The required land use element has the broadest scope of the required elements of a
general plan, regulating how all land in a city is to be used in the future. To fully reflect
the range of physical attributes that are important for Palm Desert’s success, this
chapter also contains goals and policies to guide urban form and design.
Context
Palm Desert has grown to be a very desirable community with a high quality of life and
robust economy. Much of this success is due to the careful planning of its land use and
transportation system, realizing a diversity of uses and industries all framed by
preserved hillsides and desert open space.
The General Plan area covers 44,533 acres, or 69.9 square miles. The City’s corporate
boundaries include 17,256 acres, while 27,277 acres, or 42.6 square miles, constitute
the City’s sphere of influence. Within the city, there are approximately 2,700 acres of
undeveloped land, much of which is in the northern portion of the city.
Examples of an outdoor plaza and
gathering space
Example of outdoor seating
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22 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
The city currently offers a wide range of housing opportunities, from rental
apartments to multi-million dollar estates. Like many California communities, much of
Palm Desert’s housing was constructed in a suburban context in which value is in part
derived from the separation and isolation of neighborhoods from the rest of the city.
This trend is most striking when viewing a map of the city’s gated communities and
has likely contributed to Palm Desert’s success at attracting seasonal residents.
During the last General Plan cycle, the City initiated the development of California
State University and University of California campuses, expanding the city’s
educational opportunities. This move presents great educational, economic, and
overall quality of life offerings. However, to fully capitalize on the opportunity, the City
will need to make sure it appropriately plans for enough land in the vicinity of the
universities to accommodate new students, faculty, and university supportive
businesses. Additionally, it will be very important for the City to ensure that all new
development in the area is interconnected so as to form a cohesive university area.
Palm Desert has also concluded that the development of the Highway 111 corridor
area into a downtown presents an important opportunity for maintaining and
improving the City’s position as a premier destination for tourists, visitors, and
shoppers. The City’s strategy is to focus on retail business retention and the
redevelopment of underutilized commercial areas in order to protect and grow Palm
Desert’s market position. The City’s strategy also includes transitioning the Highway
111 corridor into a walkable City Center district where visitors and residents alike can
employ a “park once” approach. In part, this approach is based on leveraging the
success of the walkable “Main Street” form and character of El Paseo. The City is also
responding to strong market and demographic trends, driven by the Baby Boomer and
Millennial generations, exhibiting strong demand for walkable, connected places over
isolated, automobile-oriented places. As such, this General Plan contains strategies
that emphasize the connectivity between housing, jobs, and services as well as the
City’s desire to enhance resident mobility through high quality transit and transit-
supportive development. In sum, this strategy aims to create a true downtown,
enhancing the city’s identity, quality of life, and economic competitiveness.
As the city continues to grow, infill development will be a critical land use strategy.
This strategy will allow the city to continue to grow and allow the city to continue to
protect and preserve its hillsides and natural environment. These amenities create the
striking natural beauty that is at the heart of Palm Desert’s identity.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 23
General Plan Designations
The General Plan sets forth land use designations that indicate the purpose and
intended use for each parcel within the city. These designations are developed to
provide clear, yet flexible, structure that adapts to changing economic conditions and
community vision. The land use designations are organized into categories in the
tables below.
There are five broad categories of land use designations—residential, mixed use,
commercial, industrial, and public uses. Given the City’s broad place-making goals and
the community’s interest in shape the form and character of their city, these broad
categories have been grouped into three place types: neighborhoods, centers, and
districts. Each land use designation provides direction on use, intensity/density, form,
and character.
The place type category definitions are as follows:
Neighborhoods are the basic building block of great cities and this General Plan
identifies a range of neighborhood types. Neighborhoods are developed areas with a
balanced mix of human activity with uses including dwellings, workplaces, shops, civic
buildings, and parks. The vision of the Plan is to create complete, compact and
connected neighborhoods that provide a high quality of life for residents.
Neighborhoods are the basic building blocks of a livable Palm Desert. A Palm Desert
neighborhood should mix a variety of residential types within a walkable network of
green streets and parks, well-connected to parks, schools and neighborhood centers
to serve daily shopping needs. Our neighborhoods must provide safe, attractive and
comfortable places to live and play. The neighborhood designations presented in the
following tables call for the development of such traditional neighborhoods
throughout the city.
Districts are areas of the city that are dominated by a single activity that is
functionally specialized with supportive uses and are somewhat more automobile-
oriented. They differ from Neighborhoods and Centers in that most important
physical characteristics are the connectivity through the area and the way the districts
adjoin (and potentially impact) adjacent uses. Districts play an important role in a city
since they are the primary retail and entertainment areas (Regional Retail and Resort
and Entertainment), and provide jobs and economic development opportunities
(Employment and Industrial). The Resort District also provides an opportunity for the
City to capitalize on the part-time living and hospitality economic sectors.
Centers are mixed-use areas with a compact and walkable environment that are
generally located on the City’s corridors serving as both connectors and transitions
between neighborhoods and districts. Some Centers are retail and service commercial
oriented and provide concentrations of jobs, civic and cultural uses. Multi-family
residences may also be integrated into Centers, often on upper floors of buildings
above ground-floor businesses. Centers are the primary places of commerce,
neighborhood-serving retail, arts and culture and civic activities. There are a variety of
centers ranging from walkable, mixed-use Neighborhood Center to Downtown.
Centers are characterized by the urban and walkable character and their mix of uses.
Examples of a walkable city center
Examples of neighborhood types
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In addition to the required information on allowed land use and intensity of
development, the General Plan land use designations provide more detailed
information on the built form and character of the uses than is typically found in a
general plan. With the exception of the Public and Specific Plan designations (which
are described more generally), each designation has policy guidance on:
Above: El Paseo is an example of a center
within Palm Desert, below: Typical
diagram of a center
Above: Westfield Mall is an example of a
district within Palm Desert, below:
Typical diagram of a district
Above: Spanish Walk is an example of a
neighborhood within Palm Desert,
below: Typical diagram of a
neighborhood.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 25
• Intent and Purpose. This describes the overall purpose of the land
use designation.
• Intended Physical Character. This describes the intended
physical form and character that new development will take.
• Development Intensities. The intensity of development as
measured in dwelling units per acre for residential development and
floor area ratio (FAR) for non-residential development.
• Allowed Uses. The allowed land uses and their general distribution
are summarized on each land use designation sheet.
• Network and Connectivity. This includes descriptions and metrics
for ensuring a high level of connectivity in the transportation system.
• Streetscape and General Character. A description of the
roadways desired in each designation is included. This description works
in concert with the policies and street types in the Mobility Element.
• Open Space. This includes descriptions of the range of parks and
open spaces desired. Additional detail on specific park types is provided
in a separate table presented in the Environmental Resources Element.
(See Table 5-1.)
Single Family Residential Recreational
Multi-Family Residential Governmental
Bed & Breakfast Inn Industrial
Agricultural uses Large Retail
Small Retail Research & Development
Mobile Home
Allowed Land Use Legend
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26 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Rural Neighborhood
Intent & Purpose
To conserve nature while providing the lowest intensity and amount of neighborhood
development.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 0.05 to 1.0
Commercial FAR: N/A
Allowed Land Uses
Uses are primarily single-family residential. Limited commercial activity may be
allowed in the form of focused specialty lodging such as a bed & breakfast inn with
minor commercial/retail.
Uses such as guest houses, churches, schools, family day care homes, public facilities,
and others which are determined to be compatible with and oriented toward serving
the needs of rural, low-density neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are natural, with gutterless shoulders defined by informal tree
arrangements and natural street edges. Street alignments are relatively informal with
moderate interconnectivity (x intersections per square mile). Some dead end roads
may be warranted to preserve existing topography and/or natural environment.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the natural features being preserved.
Residential on-site amenities are welcomed but not required.
Built Form and Character
Small portions of sites are developed with single-family houses organized around
natural areas. Buildings are set back large distances from the natural street edge to
provide very large front yards with porches and terraces. Structures are clustered
together to leave most of the natural area undisturbed. Open spaces are primarily
natural with a single or few clusters of limited numbers of houses. Height of homes
are site appropriate (depending on topography and slope).
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Golf Course & Resort Neighborhood
Intent & Purpose
To provide lower-intensity neighborhood development that features golf course
activity, or similar recreational orientation, and limited commercial uses.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: up to 8.0
Commercial FAR: N/A
Allowed Land Uses
Uses are comprised of a variety of single-family houses and limited multi-family
dwellings organized around golf courses and other open space with focused
commercial/retail.
Uses such as retail, personal service, care, public facilities, and others which are
determined to be compatible with and oriented toward serving the needs of resort-
oriented living and recreation may also be allowed.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are suburban and rural with moderate interconnectivity and formal or
informal street tree arrangements depending upon the particular street. Ideally,
intersection density would not be less than 140 intersections per square mile.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the golf course(s) or other recreational
amenities. In order to provide maximum viewsheds of the golf course(s) for Palm
Desert residents, large portions of the golf course(s) are exposed to public view along
streets. Other open spaces may be provided throughout the neighborhood including
plazas at mixed use areas. Open space preserves some of the natural terrain and
features of the desert.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are set back from the sidewalk to provide large front yards with porches and
terraces except in mixed-use areas where buildings are near or at the sidewalk to
support outdoor dining and easy view of storefronts. Buildings are a variety of single-
family houses and small multi-family and small commercial buildings up to 2 stories
focused on plazas.
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28 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Conventional Suburban Neighborhood
Intent & Purpose
To provide low intensity neighborhood development that features a limited variety of
housing choices. Occurs primarily on valley floor away from steep slopes.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 3.0 to 8.0
Commercial FAR: N/A
Allowed Land Uses
Uses are single-family houses and small multi-family dwellings organized along
walkable streetscapes with commercial/ retail activity nearby.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are suburban with formal street tree arrangements and have minimal
interconnectivity. Intersection density should be no less than 200 per square mile.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and other open
spaces such as parks and fields throughout the neighborhood.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are set back from the sidewalk to provide moderately sized front yards with
porches and terraces except in commercial areas where buildings are set back behind
parking areas. Buildings are primarily single-story single-family houses. Limited multi-
family buildings up to 2 stories are also allowed.
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Small Town Neighborhood
Intent & Purpose
To provide moderate intensity neighborhood development that features a variety
of housing choices and mixed uses, while preserving or enhancing the existing
inventory of 1950’s Desert homes.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 3.0 to 10.0
Commercial FAR: Up to 0.75
Allowed Land Uses
Uses are a variety of single-family houses and small multi-family dwellings
organized along walkable streetscapes with limited commercial/retail activity within
walking distance. House-scale multi-family is allowed on a limited basis, primarily
along corridors.
Uses such as retail, care, public facilities, guest houses, churches, schools, family
day care homes, public facilities, and others which are determined to be compatible
with and oriented toward serving the needs of neighborhoods may also be allowed
and should be focused along corridors.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are suburban with formal street tree arrangements and are highly
interconnected. Intersection density should be at least 400 per square mile.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and a variety
of small, individual open spaces throughout the neighborhood including plazas and
open spaces at mixed use areas.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are set back from the sidewalk to provide moderately sized front yards
with porches and terraces except in mixed-use areas where buildings are near or at
the sidewalk to support outdoor dining and easy view of storefronts. Buildings are
can be up to 2.5 stories.
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Town Center Neighborhood
Intent & Purpose
To provide moderate to higher intensity neighborhood development that features a
variety of housing choices, walkable streets, and mixed uses.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 7.0 to 40
Commercial FAR: 0.5 to 0.75
Allowed Land Uses
Uses are a range of single-family and multi-family residential uses including duplex,
triplex, quadruplex, rowhouses, townhouses, courtyard multi-family buildings and
small scale multi-family buildings organized along walkable streetscapes with focused
commercial/retail activity within walking distance.
Uses such as retail, personal service, care, public facilities, guest houses, churches,
schools, family day care homes, public facilities, and others which are determined to be
compatible with and oriented toward serving the needs of neighborhoods may also be
allowed and should be focused along corridors and main streets.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes have an urban character with formal street tree arrangements and are
highly interconnected. Mid-block paseos are allowed to provide pedestrian
connections from the streets to parking facilities within the blocks. Intersection
density should be 400 per square mile.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and variety of
open spaces throughout the neighborhood including plaza and other public open
spaces in mixed use areas.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are set back from the sidewalk to provide small to moderate front yards with
porches and terraces except in mixed-use areas where buildings are near or at the
sidewalk to support outdoor dining and easy view of storefronts. Buildings are a
variety of housing choices up to 3 stories and mixed-use buildings up to 3 stories
focused at key intersections and/or public open space.
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Employment District
Intent & Purpose
To provide a wide variety of office-intensive activity that could include some
manufacturing along with research and development opportunities.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: n/a
Commercial FAR: Up to 0.75
Allowed Land Uses
A wide variety of office and limited commercial activity along with multi-family
dwellings organized along walkable streetscapes. Uses would include professional
and medical office, and traditional business park.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are urban with formal street tree arrangements, on-street parking
and are highly interconnected. Larger block sizes are allowed in this district.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and variety of
plaza or other open spaces at key gathering areas. Small to moderate sized
buildings should be encouraged to consolidate or align shared open spaces. Within
larger buildings, open space is provided in the form of courtyards which are
shaded by the buildings.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are located near or at the sidewalk to shape the streetscapes and to
frame public open space used by employees. In some areas - and particularly in
order to attract a large employer - it may be appropriate for several blocks to be
joined together as a campus environment with pedestrian-only paths that connect
to surrounding streets. Buildings can be up to 3 stories.
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Industrial District
Intent & Purpose
To provide a wide variety of industrial activity ranging from light to heavy
manufacturing and outdoor assembly including research and development
opportunities.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: n/a
Commercial FAR: Up to 0.75
Allowed Land Uses
A wide variety of industrial and limited commercial activity organized on utilitarian
industrial streets. Industrial and research & development uses, with support retail and
office uses, would be allowed.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are utilitarian with informal street tree arrangements and on-street
parking and are interconnected.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is provided through the planted streetscapes that connect the various
parcels.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are near or away from the sidewalk depending upon the type of industrial
activity. Utilitarian architecture is appropriate for industrial districts and buildings
are single-use industrial or mixed-use buildings up to 2 stories.
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Public Facility/Institutional District
Intent & Purpose
To provide for government buildings and school facilities including: civic center,
libraries, community centers, senior centers, fire stations, corporate yards, both public
and private schools/universities and similar uses.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: n/a
Commercial FAR: Up to 0.5
Allowed Land Uses
Government buildings and facilities and a wide range of public uses such as public and
private schools, higher educational facilities, community centers, and other similar
uses.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is provided on a case-by-case basis. Government buildings are
encouraged to provide usable public open space.
Built Form and Character
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
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Resort & Entertainment District
Intent & Purpose
To provide for a range of entertainment and resort destination uses that require large
amounts of land and that draw visitors to the City such as theme parks, hotels, and sports
facilities.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: up to 10.0
Commercial FAR: Maximum of 0.10; exceptions may be made for certain entertainment
uses such as theme parks.
Allowed Land Uses
Lodging, recreation, support retail and commercial services along with
specialized entertainment.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Will vary depending upon the core amenities and market niche. Internal residential
components should follow the general direction of neighborhoods described herein.
Internal pedestrian connectivity should be high. External streets should provide
comfortable pedestrian amenities and street trees to shape continuous public realm.
Resorts, due to their reduced vehicular access, should be designed to not unreasonably
disrupt the overall connectivity of the City.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through a wide range of types varying from golf courses
and sports fields to plazas and mini parks.
Built Form and Character
Will vary depending upon the core amenities and market niche.
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Regional Retail District
Intent & Purpose
To provide large-format retail development along with associated restaurant and
commercial service activity. This district is located near major freeway connections
and around major intersections.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 10.0 to 15.0
Commercial FAR: 0.35 to 1.0
Allowed Land Uses
A variety of large-format retail, commercial services, lodging, entertainment, and
restaurant activity organized along walkable streetscapes. Multi-family is allowed as a
supportive use.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are urban with formal street tree arrangements, on-street parking and
are interconnected. In pedestrian-oriented retail environments, larger blocks should
be subdivided into smaller “virtual blocks” no longer than 400 or 500 feet.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes, though outdoor
plazas and green spaces are encouraged.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are entirely near or at the sidewalk to shape the streetscapes or they are
partially at the sidewalk to allow for convenient parking while shaping the
streetscape. Buildings should have ground-floor shopfronts and are generally
attached, with no side yards. Service functions such as loading and trash pickup
should occur at the rear. Buildings can be up to 3 stories.
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Suburban Retail Center
Intent & Purpose
To provide a concentration of retail businesses--including “big box” and “large format”
retailers--in a setting that accommodates the parking requirements of such businesses
and balances access by shoppers.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 10.0 to 15.0 (if housing is included)
Commercial FAR: 0.2 to 1.0
Allowed Land Uses
Primarily retail and services, sometimes with commercial uses on upper floors, and
flexibility of adding housing.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are urban with formal street tree arrangements, on street parking, and
are interconnected.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and variety of
plaza open spaces at key gathering areas. Open spaces in Suburban Retail Centers
should generally be plazas/greens to provide sufficient gathering space for shoppers
and visitors. Mini parks may also be appropriate.
Built Form and Character
Single-use commercial or mixed-use buildings up to 3 stories with flexibility of adding
housing. Buildings face the street or internal sidewalks with attractive shop fronts.
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Neighborhood Center
Intent & Purpose
To provide a concentration of commercial businesses and civic amenities within
walking and biking distances of neighborhoods.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 10.0 to 15.0
Commercial FAR: Up to 0.5
Allowed Land Uses
Primarily neighborhood-serving retail and services. Allowed uses include retail,
professional office, local-oriented uses, including supermarkets, retail stores, theaters,
restaurants, professional and medical offices, and specialty retail stores, and flexibility
of adding housing. Residential uses are secondary uses found on upper floors of
mixed-use buildings and in multi-family buildings at the edge of the center where it
transitions to the adjoining neighborhood.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are urban with formal street tree arrangements, on-street parking, and
are interconnected. Streets within the center should connect to neighborhood streets
to provide convenient access for nearby residents as well as motorists.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and variety of
plaza open spaces at key gathering areas.
Built Form and Character
Buildings should be comprised of a variety of mixed-use buildings up to 3 stories
with the flexibility of adding housing. Buildings are near or at the sidewalk to
shape the streetscape and to frame public open space and streets.
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City Center/Downtown
Intent & Purpose
To provide high intensity mixed-use development anchored by civic, cultural,
entertainment, retail and dining activity that features a variety of building sizes and
housing choices.
Development Intensities
DU/AC: 12.0 to 40
Commercial FAR: Up to 2.5
Allowed Land Uses
A variety of civic, cultural, entertainment, retail, restaurant, and commercial services
activity along with multi-family dwellings organized along walkable streetscapes.
Ground floor uses include retail, restaurant, service, and office uses, while upper
floors accommodate residential and office uses. Residential uses are prohibited on
ground floors.
Intended Physical Character
Streetscape and Connectivity
Streetscapes are urban with formal street tree arrangements, on-street parking and
are highly interconnected.
Parks and Open Space
Open space is primarily provided through the generous streetscapes and variety of
plaza open spaces at key gathering areas. Within larger mixed-use or multi-family
buildings, open space is provided in the form of courtyards which are shaded by the
buildings.
Built Form and Character
Buildings are near or at the sidewalk to shape the commercial streetscapes, support
outdoor dining and for easy view of storefronts. Smaller buildings face streets and
public gathering spaces. Buildings are typically mixed-use up to 3 stories with taller
buildings up to 5 focused at key intersections and/or public open space. A variety of
housing choices, including lodging, up to 5 stories, are also allowed.
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Figure 3.1 Land Use Designations
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Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Quality Spaces. A beautiful city with a
balance of high quality open spaces and high quality
urban areas.
Policies
1.1 Scale of development. Require new development along the city’s
corridors use design techniques to moderate height and use and ensure
compatible fit with surrounding development.
1.2 Open space preservation. Balance the development of the city with the
provision of open space, and especially the hillsides surrounding the City,
so as to create both high quality urban areas and high quality open space.
1.3 Traffic generation. Balance medium and high intensity/density
development with pedestrian-oriented and bicycle friendly design
features so as to maximize trip and VMT reduction.
1.4 Phasing of public facilities. Require new parks, open spaces and public
facilities be constructed concurrent with, or prior to, the development of
each Neighborhood. All required parks, open spaces and public facilities
should be constructed before 75 percent of the dwelling units are
constructed.
1.5 Hillside Development. Limit development and grading in areas with
slopes greater than 20 percent and limit the density and intensity of
development in areas with slopes of between 10 and 19 percent.
1.6 Community Amenities. Balance the impacts of new development,
density, and urbanization through the provision of a high-level of
neighborhood and community amenities and design features.
Goal 2. Human-Scaled Design. A city designed for
people, fostering interaction, activity, and safety.
Policies
2.1 Pedestrian focus. Design the streetscape of high volume corridors to
balance regional traffic flow with pedestrian movement and safety and
the unique physical environment of the area.
2.2 Parking frontages. Require parking strategies and designs that ensure
parking areas do not dominate street frontages and are screened from
public views whenever possible.
2.3 Landscaping. Require development projects to incorporate high quality
landscaping in order to extend and enhance the green space network of
the city.
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2.4 Tree planting. Encourage the planting of trees that appropriately shade
the sidewalk and improve the pedestrian experience throughout the city.
2.5 Streetscape. Enhance the pedestrian experience through streetscape
improvements that could include new street lighting, tree planting, and
easement dedications to increase the size of the sidewalks and pedestrian
amenities.
2.6 Lighting. Require all new street lights in commercial areas to be
pedestrian-oriented and scaled, attractively designed, compatible in
design with other street furniture, and to provide adequate visibility and
security in accordance with best practices for night sky protection.
2.7 Public gathering spaces. Improve existing and create new gathering
spaces throughout the city to provide beautiful, comfortable, and inviting
public and pedestrian spaces, encouraging walking and public gathering
spaces.
2.8 Public plazas. Encourage new development to incorporate public plazas,
seating, drinking fountains, and gathering places, especially in prominent
locations and areas of pedestrian activity.
2.9 Commercial requirements. Require development projects in non-
residential and mixed use areas to provide for enhanced pedestrian
activity through the following techniques:
• Requiring that the ground floor frontage be oriented to and
accessible from the sidewalk.
• Locating the majority of a building’s frontages in close proximity
to the sidewalk edge;
• Requiring that the first level of the building occupy a majority of
the lot’s frontage, with exceptions for vehicle access;
• Requiring that the majority of the linear ground floor retail
frontage (where it occurs) be visually and physically “penetrable,”
incorporating windows and other design treatments to create an
attractive street frontage;
• Requiring that the first level of building where retail uses are
allowed have a minimum 15 feet floor to floor height for non-
residential uses;
• Minimizing vehicle intrusions across the sidewalk;
• Allowing for the development of outdoor plazas and dining areas;
• Discouraging new surface parking lots; and
• Locating parking (surface or structured) behind buildings,
wherever feasible.
• Address parking on a regional basis to maximize efficiency.
2.10 Auto-oriented uses. Consider allowing uses that serve occupants of
vehicles (such as drive-through windows) and discourage uses that serve
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the vehicle (such as car washes and service stations), in places that are
clearly automobile oriented, ensuring that such uses do not disrupt
pedestrian flow, are not concentrated, do not break up the building mass
of the streetscape, and are compatible with the planned uses of the area.
2.11 Roadway scale. In pedestrian prioritized areas of the city, limit roadway
size and design techniques that emphasize and/or prioritize automobile
operation at the expense of pedestrian and bicycle operation.
2.12 Destination Accessibility. Direct the development of new centers, parks,
schools, and similar destinations so as to provide all residences within
town ¼ mile to at least two amenities.
Goal 3. Neighborhoods. Neighborhoods that provide
a variety of housing types, densities, designs and mix of
uses and services that support healthy and active
lifestyles.
Policies
3.1 Complete neighborhoods. Through the development entitlement
process, ensure that all new Neighborhoods (areas with a
“Neighborhood” General Plan Designation) are complete and well-
structured such that the physical layout and land use mix promote
walking to services, biking and transit use, are family friendly and address
the needs of multiple ages and physical abilities. New neighborhoods
should have the following characteristics:
• Contain short, walkable block lengths.
• Contain a high level of connectivity for pedestrians, bicycles and
vehicles where practicable.
• Are organized around a central focal point such as a park, school,
civic building or neighborhood retail such that most homes are no
more than one quarter-mile from this focal point.
• Have goods and services within a short walking distance.
• Contain a diversity of housing types, where possible.
• Have homes with entries and windows facing the street.
• Have a grid or modified grid street network (except where
topography necessitates another street network layout).
• Provide a diversity of architectural styles.
3.2 Conventional neighborhood design. Discourage the construction of new
residential neighborhoods that are characterized by cul-de-sacs,
soundwalls, long block lengths, single building and housing types and lack
of access to goods and services.
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3.3 Variety of types of neighborhoods. Promote a variety of neighborhoods
within the City and ensure that neighborhood types are dispersed
throughout the City.
3.4 Balanced neighborhoods. Within the allowed densities and housing
types, promote a range of housing and price levels within each
neighborhood in order to accommodate diverse ages and incomes. For
development projects larger than five acres, require that a diversity of
housing types be provided and that these housing types be mixed rather
than segregated by unit type.
3.5 Housing affordability. Ensure affordable housing is distributed
throughout the City to avoid concentrations of poverty and to be
accessible to jobs.
3.6 Senior housing. Encourage the development of senior housing only in
neighborhoods that are accessible to public transit, commercial services
and health and community facilities.
3.7 Walkable neighborhoods. Require that all new neighborhoods be
designed and constructed to be pedestrian friendly and include features
such as short blocks, wide sidewalks, tree-shaded streets, buildings that
define and are oriented to streets or public spaces, traffic-calming
features, convenient pedestrian street crossings, and safe streets that are
designed for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
• Provision of sidewalks. Except within designated rural areas,
require sidewalks of at least six feet in width on both sides of
streets in neighborhoods and prohibit obstructions that would
impede use of the sidewalk.
• Block size. Require new neighborhoods to be designed with
blocks no longer than 600 to 800 feet. Exceptions can be made if
mid-block pedestrian and bicycle connections are provided.
3.8 Neighborhood intersection density. Require new neighborhoods to
provide high levels of intersection density. Town Center and Small Town
Neighborhoods should strive for 400 intersections per square mile.
Conventional Suburban Neighborhoods should strive for at least 200
intersections per square mile.
3.9 Street layout. Design streets and lot layouts to provide a majority of lots
within 20 degrees of a north-south orientation for increased energy
conservation.
3.10 Shared driveways. Allow and encourage new commercial and residential
developments to have common driveways serving multiple units, to
minimize the number of curb cuts along any given block to improve
pedestrian safety.
3.11 Connections to key destinations. Require direct pedestrian connections
between residential areas and nearby commercial and public/institutional
areas.
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3.12 Tree-lined streets. Require trees on both sides of at least 60 percent of
new and existing streets within the project and on the project’s side of
bordering streets, between the vehicle travel way and walkway at
intervals averaging no more than 50-100 feet (excluding driveways and
utility vaults). This standard shall apply whenever new streets are
constructed or when existing streets and sidewalks are significantly
rehabilitated with existing neighborhoods. Ensuring the appropriate
revenue stream to provide long term maintenance.
3.13 Shaded sidewalks. Require shade over at least 30 percent of the length of
sidewalks on streets within a project. Trees must provide shade within 10
years of landscape installation and should be as water efficient as
possible.
3.14 Access to daily activities. Require development patterns such that the
majority of residents are within one-half mile walking distance to a variety
of neighborhood goods and services, such as supermarkets, restaurants,
churches, cafes, dry cleaners, laundromats, farmers markets, banks, hair
care, pharmacies and similar uses.
3.15 Access to parks and open spaces. Require the design of new
neighborhoods and, where feasible, retrofit existing neighborhoods, so
that 60 percent of dwelling units are within a ¼ mile walking distance of a
usable open space such as a tot-lot, neighborhood park, community park
or plaza/green.
3.16 Neighborhood transitions. Require that new neighborhoods provide
appropriate transitions in scale, building type and density between
different General Plan designations.
3.17 Gated communities. Strongly discourage the construction of new gated
communities except in the Rural or Resort General Plan Designations.
3.18 Soundwalls. Allow the use of soundwalls to buffer new Neighborhoods
from existing sources of noise pollution such as railroads and limited
access roadways. Prohibit the use of soundwalls to buffer residential
areas from arterial or collector streets. Instead design approaches such as
building setbacks, landscaping and other techniques shall be used. In the
case where soundwalls might be acceptable, require pedestrian access
points to improve access from the Neighborhoods.
3.19 Subdivision gateways. Discourage the use of signs to distinguish one
residential project from another. Strive for neighborhoods to blend
seamlessly into one another.
3.20 Neighborhood preservation. Preserve and enhance the character of
existing residential neighborhoods.
3.21 Infill neighborhoods. In existing developed areas of the city, encourage
development that repairs connectivity, adds destinations, and encourages
complete neighborhoods. This can be achieved by increasing intersection
density, reducing block size, providing new community amenities and
destinations.
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3.22 University Neighborhood. Facilitate the development of a University-
oriented neighborhood west of Cook Street, north of Frank Sinatra Street,
and west of Portola Avenue. Specify and require the neighborhood be
walkable, highly connected to the surrounding areas, and exemplify the
best ideals of Palm Desert and complete neighborhoods.
Goal 4. Districts. A series of unique, destination-
oriented districts that provide space for large-format
retail, industrial and resort uses in order to increase
access to jobs, provide amenities for residents, and
enhance the fiscal stability of the City.
Policies
4.1 Resorts. Encourage the development of unique resort complexes. Locate
resorts in areas of the city where citywide connectivity will not be
negatively affected by the design of the project.
4.2 Resort design and connectivity. Allow resorts to be designed as isolated
and gated developments as long as through traffic and external
connectivity occurs at distances of no greater than 1,300 feet. Exceptions
to this may be made where external connection is not possible because of
steep slopes, or natural or man-made barriers.
4.3 Regional retail districts. Facilitate major regional serving commercial
centers that provide a mix of uses in a pedestrian oriented format and
become vibrant destinations for people to live, work, shop and
congregate. Allow a wide variety of uses to locate in Regional Retail
Districts including destination retail centers, mixed-use town centers, and
hotels, among other uses.
4.4 Regional retail district design. Allow for significant flexibility in the design
of Regional Retail Districts so long as city-wide and project-level
connectivity standards are met, the uses do not adversely affect adjacent
uses and accommodations are made for pedestrians, bicycle and transit
users. Design internal streets and parking into blocks and require
sidewalks along both sides of these streets.
4.5 Suburban retail design. Design new suburban retail to be pedestrian-
friendly with buildings that front internal streets and public sidewalks and
with buildings facing major roadways. No more than 50 percent of the
frontage on streets may be parking lots.
4.6 Industrial compatibility. Where industrial uses are near existing and
planned residential development, require that industrial projects be
designed to limit the impact of truck traffic on residential areas.
4.7 Impact of industrial development. Require new development within the
city’s industrial areas be designed for compatibility with surrounding uses
to minimize impact and cultivate connectivity with each district.
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4.8 Design of employment districts. Design Employment Districts to be urban
in character with compact buildings sited at or near front lot lines, a high
percentage of lot coverage, and building facades and entrances directly
addressing the street and with a high degree of transparency. Parking lots
and large setbacks shall not dominate the frontage of the Employment
Districts.
4.9 School location and design. Encourage school districts to size, design and
locate schools to better enable students to walk or bicycle to them.
4.10 Civic identity. Encourage civic buildings and public gathering places to be
designed to provide locations that reinforce community identity and
support self-government.
4.11 Role of civic buildings. Require that civic buildings be distinctive and
appropriate to a role more important than the other buildings that
constitute the fabric of the City.
Goal 5. Centers. A variety of mixed use, urban
centers throughout the city that provide opportunities
for shopping, recreation, commerce, employment and
arts and culture.
Policies
5.1 Downtown. Facilitate the development of the Downtown as a vibrant,
active downtown that is the civic and cultural heart of the community.
5.2 San Pablo. Prioritize the development of San Pablo Street at 111 into a
local-serving, vibrant Main Street environment.
5.3 Diverse centers. Encourage the development of local and city-wide
centers that address different community needs and market sectors. The
centers shall complement and be integrated with surrounding
neighborhoods.
5.4 Access to transit. Encourage the development of commercial and mixed
use centers that are located on existing or planned transit stops in order
to facilitate and take advantage of transit service, reduce vehicle trips and
allow residents without private vehicles to access services.
5.5 Changing retail format. Provide incentives to transform existing, auto-
oriented suburban centers into neighborhood destinations by adding a
diversity of uses, providing new pedestrian connections to adjacent
residential areas, reducing the visual prominence of parking lots, making
the centers more pedestrian-friendly and enhance the definition and
character of street frontage and associated streetscapes.
5.6 Neighborhood center design. Design new neighborhood centers to be
walkable and pedestrian-friendly with buildings that front internal streets
and public sidewalks and with buildings facing major roadways. No more
than 50 percent of the frontage on streets may be parking lots.
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Goal 6. Corridors and Connectivity. A network of
transportation and open space corridors throughout the
city that provides a high level of connectivity for
vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Policies
6.1 Citywide connectivity. Establish and preserve a citywide street network
throughout the city where through roads occur approximately every one-
quarter mile, except where connections cannot be made because of
previous large development projects or physical constraints such as
railroads, waterways, steep slopes, limited access roadways and similar
natural and man-made barriers.
6.2 Subarea connectivity. Ensure a high-level of connectivity in all
Neighborhoods, Centers and Districts throughout the city. The
connectivity shall be measured as block perimeter and in external
connectivity on the perimeter of a new development project.
6.3 Connections between development projects. Require the continuation of
the street network between adjacent development projects and
discourage the use of cul-de-sacs except where necessary because
connections cannot be made due to existing development, topographic
conditions or limited access to transportation systems.
6.4 Cook Street. Facilitate the development of Cook Street into a multimodal
street that serves as community amenity, connecting both east and west
sides of the street, as well as the north and south ends of the city.
6.5 Unbundled Parking. Allow and encourage strategies that unbundle
parking, reducing or eliminating requirements for on-site parking.
Goal 7. The Arts. A high quality of life and strong
community identity enhanced by rich arts and culture
programs.
Policies
7.1 Performing arts. Encourage the development of facilities and venues for
arts and entertainment.
7.2 Higher education. Increase coordinated marketing of arts and cultural
events at Palm Desert’s higher education institutions.
7.3 Artists’ colony. Encourage the establishment of an artist’s colony near the
downtown, supporting live-work studios as a form of mixed-use.
7.4 Artists live/work studios. Consider incentives for the inclusion of
live/work studio space in new developments.
7.5 Arts and culture district. Consider the establishment of an arts and
culture district.
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7.6 Arts and culture funding. Consider innovative funding mechanisms to
support funding for arts and culture.
Goal 8. Economic Development. A diverse, growing,
and resilient local economy.
Policies
8.1 Long-term economic development. Support the development and
implementation of long-term economic development strategies that seek
to establish and keep new businesses.
8.2 Regional jobs center. Encourage economic development strategies,
especially those that leverage the College of the Desert, California State
University, and University of California, which will expand the number of
living-wage paying jobs within the city.
8.3 Jobs-housing balance. Strive to improve the jobs-housing balance in the
city by actively pursuing new employment generating uses for the city.
8.4 University housing. Encourage the development of affordable housing to
ensure an adequate supply of dedicated housing for students and
university and college faculty.
8.5 Development Incentives. Consider incentives for new development that
provides a substantial economic benefit to the community such as retail
sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes or higher-paying jobs. Prohibit the
provision of incentives that outweigh the direct benefits from the use.
8.6 Joint-use. Promote joint use of public and private facilities for community
use, tourism, conference, convention and cultural uses.
8.7 Natural environment. Maintain and enhance the natural environment as
critical to the attraction of tourists and ensure that new development
does not adversely affect the natural environment as a tourist draw.
8.8 Recreational amenities. Strategically utilize City recreational investments
to create and enhance development opportunities.
8.9 Convention/retreat center. Pursue the development of a regional scale
conference center adjacent to the university campuses.
8.10 Adaptive reuse of golf courses. Support the conversion of struggling golf
courses into new, complementary uses. Changes of use will be considered
based on their merits and benefits to the surrounding community and city
at large and must demonstrate excellence in design and connectivity. The
City will consider uses such as:
• Active recreational space,
• Natural habitat restoration,
• Passive open space and trails,
• Community scale agriculture,
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50 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
• Neighborhood supportive commercial and service uses,
• High quality neighborhoods.
8.11 Encourage Volunteerism. Continue to support and encourage ongoing
opportunities for volunteerism in City government and throughout the
city.
Goal 9. Fiscal Stability. A fiscally sound and
sustainable city.
Policies
9.1 Fiscal impact assessment. For all major development projects, including
but not limited to specific plans, annexations and changes in General Plan
designations for areas over 5 acres in size, require a fiscal impact
assessment to determine possible fiscal impact of the development
project and use the information to formulate conditions of approval for
the project.
9.2 Efficient growth. Manage growth in a manner that is fiscally sustainable
and protects and/or enhances community value.
9.3 Diverse tax base. Guide development and public investments to maintain
a fiscally sound city with a sustainable tax base and user fees including
property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy tax, utilities user tax and user
fees that pay for cost of services.
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4. MOBILITY
Overview
This Element describes the City’s goals and policies related to
transportation. The transportation system, which includes the city’s
roadways, bus stops, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and trails, is a key
element of daily life. These transportation facilities allow daily travel for
work, shopping, school, and recreational purposes. Businesses depend
on the deliveries of goods to serve their customers. The ability of Palm
Desert to grow depends on a robust transportation network.
The City envisions an interconnected multi-modal transportation
system, offering diverse options such as automobiles, public transit,
golf carts, bicycling, and walking. These future transportation facilities
are described through exhibits and facility typologies provided below.
This interconnected transportation system is also provided within a
larger framework of statutory requirements, State and regional
agencies, and adjacent cities whose roadways, bike trails, and sidewalks
connect to Palm Desert. The Mobility Element describes policies and
approaches to provide the city with the flexibility to interact with these
constraints in a way that addresses the needs of residents, employees,
and visitors.
Statutory Requirements
AB 1358 – Complete Streets Act
The California Complete Streets Act of 2008 was signed into law on September 30,
2008. Beginning January 1, 2011, AB 1358 required circulation elements to address the
transportation system from a multi-modal perspective. The Complete Streets Act also
requires circulation elements to consider the multiple users of the transportation
system, including children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. For further
clarity, AB 1358 tasks the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research with release of
guidelines for compliance which are so far undeveloped.
SB 375 – Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act
On December 11, 2008, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted its Proposed Scoping
Plan for AB 32. This scoping plan included the approval of SB 375 as the means for
achieving regional transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) targets. SB 375
provides guidance on how curbing emissions from cars and light trucks can help the
Example features of a well-connected
transportation network
Example of a well-defined and protected
bicycle lane
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state comply with AB 32. SB 375 is implemented by Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPO’s) such as the Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) through plans called Regional Transportation Plans/Sustainable Communities
Strategies (RTP/SCS). The RTP/SCS describe a series of measures which the MPO,
counties, and cities will undertake to address GHG reduction within the context of
regional growth.
SB 743 – General CEQA Reform
On September 27, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 743 into law. A key element
of this law is the potential elimination or deemphasizing of auto delay, level of service
(LOS), and other similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion as a basis
for determining significant impacts in many parts of the State. According to the
legislative intent contained in SB 743, these changes to current practice were
necessary to “More appropriately balance the needs of congestion management with
statewide goals related to infill development, promotion of public health through
active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
As noted, SB 743 requires impacts to transportation network performance to be
viewed through a filter that promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the
development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses.
Some alternative metrics were identified in the law including vehicle miles traveled
(VMT) or automobile trip generation rates. SB 743 does not prevent a city or county
from continuing to analyze delay or LOS as part of other plans (i.e., the general plan),
studies, or ongoing network monitoring, but these metrics may no longer constitute
the sole basis for determining CEQA impacts
Context
The transportation system in Palm Desert includes diverse elements including
roadway systems, bicycle systems, and golf cart facilities, as well as a public transit
system providing both local and regional bus service.
Regional connectivity to the City of Palm Desert is provided by Interstate 10, Highway
111, and California State Route 74. Within Palm Desert, major roadways include
Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Country Club Drive, Frank Sinatra Drive, Gerald Ford
Drive, Dinah Shore Drive, Monterey Avenue, Portola Avenue, Cook Street, and
Washington Street. Higher volume roadways within the city include Washington
Street, (over 40,000 vehicles per day), Monterey Avenue (over 40,000 vehicles per
day), Highway 111 (over 30,000 vehicles per day), and Fred Waring Drive (over 30,000
vehicles per day). The City maintains an extensive network of traffic signals along their
roadways.
This existing roadway network is supplemented by fixed route bus lines, which are
provided by Sunline Transit currently. Sunline also provides paratransit service to
supplement this fixed route service. Current service headways range from 20 minutes
to 60 minutes during the weekdays. Less frequent service is provided on nights and
weekends.
Connections to these roadway and transit facilities are provided through a network of
sidewalks and crosswalks. The pedestrian environment in the city can be grouped into
three classifications. First, there are multiple locations where there are high levels of
Example of traffic calming measures
Example of a scenic bicycle path
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pedestrian accommodations. One example of this highly amenitized environment is
found along on El Paseo which has ample sidewalks, shading, and street furniture. The
second level of accommodation occurs on roadways like Monterey Avenue where
sidewalks are provided but not buffered from adjacent traffic. There are also roadways
which currently lack sidewalks, such as portions of Fred Waring Drive and Highway
111.
The city has a robust network of bicycle and golf cart trails throughout the city, which
are configured either as exclusive off-street facilities or through on-street designated
lanes.
In its current form, the city’s transportation system faces a number of challenges
including:
• The predominant mode of travel is the automobile;
• The predominant land use patterns make walking, biking, and transit use
challenging; and
• There are moderate levels of vehicle congestion, though this may worsen if
through traffic increases or there are areas of significant development
intensity in the city.
Future Circulation Network
Figure 4.1 documents the proposed roadway network for the city, based on the
roadway typologies described below. Figure 4.2 illustrates the proposed bicycle
network, and Figure 4.3 proposed golf cart routes, and Figure 4.4 illustrates truck
routes through Palm Desert.
Example of well-designed urban streets
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Figure 4.1 Proposed Circulation Network
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Roadway Typologies
Enhanced Arterials
Enhanced Arterials serve vehicular traffic but also have augmented bicycle and
pedestrian facilities. Emphasis is placed on enhanced pedestrian crossings, street
trees, and other similar amenities. Speeds are managed through mechanisms such as
narrower lanes, shorter blocks, and enhanced landscaping.
The general cross-section consists of a six-lane divided roadway, including a wide
median with trees and landscaping. This facility may provide dedicated left turn lanes
as well as a right turn lane where warranted. An Enhanced Arterial is designed to
accommodate approximately 45,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. A typical
cross-section is provided below.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on Enhanced Arterials are wide sidewalks with
landscaping and tree shading. Additionally, typical bicycle facilities provided are
buffered Bicycle Lanes.
Within Palm Desert, Highway 111, between Monterey Avenue and Deep Canyon Road,
is a proposed Enhanced Arterial.
Example of a buffered bicycle lane Example of a landscaped median
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Vehicular Oriented Arterials
Vehicular Oriented Arterials prioritize the movement of automobiles. Bicycle and
pedestrian facilities are provided wherever possible but are not emphasized. Driveway
spacing is limited to reduce conflicts with through traffic.
The general cross-section consists of a six-lane divided roadway, including a median
with trees and landscaping. This facility may consist of dedicated left turn lanes as well
as a right turn lane where warranted. A Vehicular Oriented Arterial is designed to
accommodate approximately 45,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. Typical cross-
sections are provided below.
Typical bicycle facilities found on Vehicular Oriented Arterials are Shared Sidewalks
and Bicycle Lanes.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Vehicular Oriented Arterials include (1)
Monterey Avenue, (2) Cook Street, (3) Washington Street, (4) Fred Waring Drive, and
(5) Highway 111 between the western City boundary and Monterey Avenue and
between Deep Canyon Road and the eastern City boundary.
Cook Street, between Gerald Ford Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive, is designated as a
Vehicular Oriented Arterial in this General Plan. It serves vehicles as it provides direct
access to/from I-10 as one of only three interchanges within the City (although Portola
Road is planned to be a fourth interchange in the future). However, the roadway also
bisects the University Area and divides housing and retail from the Cal State
campus. Additionally, the current volume on Cook Street (and future volume
projections) are more similar to a Balanced Arterial designation rather than a
Vehicular Oriented Arterial (e.g. less than 30,000 ADT). As such, Cook Street in this
Typical bicycle facilities found on Vehicular Oriented Arterials are Shared Sidewalks and Bicycle Lanes.
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area needs to have special considerations associated with treatment of the facility and
allow the facility to change as land use and vehicle demands change with future
development, allowing this short segment of Cook Street to serve as a unifying feature
of the Cal State campus and the rest of the University Area rather than a dividing
feature. Thus, this General Plan provides guidance on how to manage and configure
this segment of Cook Street as an interim condition until such time as all of the roads
potential vehicle capacity is necessary. The following approach and metrics have been
developed to assist the City in determining when and how the street should change
over time:
• The City should maintain sufficient right-of-way to provide six lanes on Cook
Street should it ever be needed;
• In the interim, the City will continue to monitor and study additional access to
I-10 (i.e., Portola interchange completion), student population, and bicycle
and pedestrian access to the university as triggers for when and whether
Cook Street should be treated more like a Balanced Arterial with four travel
lanes in each direction;
• To achieve four lanes along the corridor, the City should consider interim
improvements that do not jeopardize the ultimate major infrastructure (e.g.
curbs, gutter, and drainage facilities) such as paint treatments and movable
decorative pots or bollards;
• The City should time the interim Balanced Arterial roadway treatments with
new development on Cook Street that is designed and built with an
orientation to Cook Street so as to maximize the potential placemaking
benefits of an integrated land use and transportation system; and
• The City should monitor Cook Street ADT and as well as overall Citywide
demand for I-10 access at all four future interchanges so as to balance the
needs of the university and access to I-10.
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Balanced Arterials
Balanced Arterials strive for a balance between all travel modes including vehicles,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are provided, though not at
the level of the enhanced arterial.
The general cross-section consists of a four-lane divided roadway, including either a
median or a two-way left turn lane. This facility may consist of dedicated left turn
lanes as well as right turn lanes where warranted. A Balanced Arterial is designed to
accommodate approximately 30,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. Typical cross-
sections are provided below.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on Balanced Arterials are sidewalks with landscaping
and tree shading. Typical bicycle facilities are Shared Sidewalks and Bicycle Lanes.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Balanced Arterials include (1) Portola
Avenue, between Dinah Shore Drive and Haystack Road, (2) Frank Sinatra Drive
between Monterey Avenue and Interstate 10, (3) Hovley Lane between Portola
Avenue and Washington Street, (4) El Dorado Drive between Frank Sinatra Drive and
Hovley Lane, and (5) Gerald Ford Drive between Monterey Avenue and Cook Street.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on Balanced Arterials are sidewalks with landscaping and tree
shading. Typical bicycle facilities are Shared Sidewalks and Bicycle Lanes.
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Enhanced Secondary Roadways
Enhanced secondary roadways provide high levels of bicycle and pedestrian amenities,
similar to enhanced arterials. Vehicular circulation is accommodated but not
emphasized.
The general cross-section consists of a four-lane divided roadway with a median. This
facility may provide dedicated left turn lanes. An Enhanced Secondary Roadway is
designed to accommodate approximately 30,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. A
typical cross-section is provided below.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on Enhanced Secondary Roadways are wide
sidewalks with landscaping and tree shading. Additionally, typical bicycle facilities
provided are buffered Bicycle Lanes.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Enhanced Secondary Roadways include (1)
Gerald Ford Drive, between Cook Street and Frank Sinatra Drive, (2) Magnesia Falls
Drive, (3) Parkview Drive, and (4) San Pablo Avenue.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on Enhanced Secondary Roadways are wide sidewalks with landscaping and tree shading.
Additionally, typical bicycle facilities provided are buffered Bicycle Lanes.
Example of a buffered sidewalk Example of a designated left turn lane
with median
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Secondary Streets
Secondary Streets provide a balance between vehicular circulation, property access,
and non-automotive modes. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are provided, but not at
the level of the enhanced secondary roadway
The general cross-section of a Secondary Street consists of a four-lane divided
roadway with a median. This facility may provide dedicated left turn lanes. A
Secondary Street is designed to accommodate approximately 30,000 vehicles at Level
of Service (LOS) C. Typical cross-sections are provided below.
Typical bicycle facilities found on Secondary Streets are Shared Roadways and Bicycle
Lanes.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Secondary Streets include (1) Deep Canyon
Road, between Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive, (2) Mesa View Drive, (3) Portola
Avenue, between Mesa View Drive and Haystack Road, and (4) Gateway Drive.
Typical bicycle facilities found on Secondary Streets are hared Roadways and Bicycle Lanes.
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Downtown Collectors
Downtown Collector streets funnel pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic to from
neighborhoods to downtown Palm Desert.
The general cross-section of a Downtown Collector street consists of a two-lane
undivided roadway. A Collector Street is designed to accommodate approximately
10,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. A typical cross-section is provided below.
Typical bicycle facilities provided on Downtown Collector streets are buffered Bicycle
Lanes. Additionally, pedestrian facilities include sidewalks with landscaping and
enhanced pedestrian-level lighting.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Downtown Collector streets include (1) San
Gorgonio Way, (2) De Anza Way, (3) Shadow Mountain Drive, and (4) Deep Canyon
Road, between Magnesia Falls Drive and Fred Waring Drive and between Highway 111
and Fairway Drive.
Typical bicycle facilities of a Downtown Collector street consisting of a two-lane undivided roadway
with buffered bicycle lanes.
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Collector Streets
Collector streets funnel pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic to Enhanced
Arterials, Vehicular Oriented Arterials, Balanced Arterials, Enhanced Secondary
Roadways, and Secondary Streets.
The general cross-section of a Collector Street consists of a two-lane undivided
roadway. A Collector Street is designed to accommodate approximately
10,000 vehicles at Level of Service (LOS) C. A typical cross-section is provided
below.
Typical bicycle facilities provided on Collector Streets are Shared Roadways.
Within Palm Desert, examples of proposed Collector Streets include (1)
Grapevine Street, (2) California Drive, (3) Hovley Lane West, between
Monterey Avenue and Portola Avenue, (4) College Drive, and (5) Haystack
Road.
.
Typical bicycle facilities provided on Collector Streets are Shared Roadways.
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El Paseo
El Paseo is a key commercial roadway for the city. This roadway prioritizes property
access and includes a very high level of pedestrian amenities.
The cross-section for El Paseo consists of four vehicular travel lanes, two parking lanes,
and a wide median with trees and landscaping. Dedicated left turn lanes are provided
as well as a right turn lane where warranted. The typical cross-section for El Paseo is
provided below. It would also be acceptable and effective to have two lanes, wider
sidewalks, and diagonal parking.
Typical pedestrian facilities found on El Paseo are wide sidewalks with landscaping and tree shading.
Additionally, typical bicycle facilities provided are Shared Roadways.
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Figure 4.2 documents the future bicycle and golf cart network within Palm Desert.
These routes are for use by bicycles, pedestrians, and slow speed vehicles. Key facility
types shown on these maps are described in Table 4-1 below.
Table 4.1 Bike and Golf Cart Typologies
Classification Description
CV Link A regional off-street facility for NEV’s,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. This facility
will be overseen and maintained by
CVAG.
Class I These are off-street facilities, which can
be shared between golf carts, bicyclists,
and pedestrians.
Class II
These are on-street facilities, which can
be used by either bicycles only or as
joint use facilities used by golf carts and
bicycles. These facilities are designated
either by striping or through physical
separations in the roadway.
Class III These are on-street facilities designated
through signage that do not provide a
separate space.
Class S These are shared sidewalks that provide
facilities for both pedestrians and
bicyclists.
CV Link Connectors
These facilities would provide additional
connections to the CV Link Facility
through signage, crossing treatments, or
separate facilities that provide
connections from the city to the CV Link
Facility.
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Figure 4.2 Proposed Bicycle & Golf Cart Network
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Figure 4.3 Proposed Truck Routes
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Goals and Policies
Livable Streets. A balanced transportation
system that accommodates all modes of travel safely
and efficiently.
Policies
1.1 Complete Streets. Consider all modes of travel in planning, design, and
construction of all transportation projects to create safe, livable, and
inviting environments for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public
transit users of all ages and capabilities.
1.2 Transportation System Impacts. Evaluate transportation and
development projects in a manner that addresses the impacts of all travel
modes on all other travel modes through the best available practices.
1.3 Facility Service Levels. Determine appropriate service levels for all modes
of transportation and develop guidelines to evaluate impacts to these
modes for all related public and private projects.
1.4 Transportation Improvements. Consider improvements that add roadway
or intersection capacity for vehicles only after considering improvements
to other modes of travel.
1.5 Transportation Network Consistency. Perform a formal evaluation of any
transportation projects to verify consistency with the goals and policies in
the General Plan prior to approving funding for those projects.
1.6 Emergency Vehicle Access. Evaluate the impacts of transportation
network changes on emergency vehicle access and response times.
1.7 System Efficiency. Prioritize transportation systems management (TSM)
strategies such as signal coordination, signal retiming, and other
applicable techniques to limit unnecessary delay and congestion for
vehicles.
Parking. An actively managed system of
public and private parking facilities that supports future
development.
Policies
2.1 Public Parking Facilities. Provide new public parking facilities only after
applying appropriate techniques to manage parking demand and ensure
efficient use of all public and private parking facilities.
2.2 Parking Management. Actively manage public parking facilities to ensure
that all potential users are benefitting from this civic resource.
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2.3 Parking Cost Effectiveness. Continue to evaluate supply and demand and
implement appropriate strategies to maximize use and cost effectiveness
of public parking facilities.
2.4 Public/Private Partnerships. Promote the use of joint public and private
approaches to parking which might include leasing of private parking lots
for short-term or long-term use, using public parking for temporary
private functions, or the construction of joint-use facilities.
2.5 Innovative Parking Approaches. Allow the use of innovative parking
supply and demand strategies such as shared parking, unbundling
parking, and other related items within privately owned parking facilities
to allow an appropriate level of flexibility for these private land owners.
2.6 Formal Parking Evaluations. Perform formal evaluations of parking
capacity on a biannual basis to identify areas where parking is under- or
over-utilized.
Pedestrian Facilities. Integrated pedestrian
pathways that connect residences, businesses, and
educational and community uses.
Policies
3.1 Pedestrian Network. Provide a safe and convenient circulation system for
pedestrians that include sidewalks, crosswalks, place to sit and gather,
appropriate street lighting, buffers from moving vehicles, shading, and
amenities for people of all ages.
3.2 Prioritized Improvements. Prioritize pedestrian improvements in areas of
the city with community and/or education facilities, supportive land use
patterns, and non-automotive connections such as multi-use trails and
transit stops.
3.3 Roadway Sidewalks. Where feasible, provide adequate sidewalks along
all public roadways.
3.4 Access to Development. Require that all new development projects or
redevelopment projects provide connections from the site to the external
pedestrian network.
3.5 Pedestrian Education and Awareness. Support regional efforts to
encourage walking and also to reduce vehicular/pedestrian collisions.
3.6 Safe Pedestrian Routes to School. Consider school access as a priority
over vehicular movements when any such conflicts occur.
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Bicycle Networks. Well-connected bicycle
network that facilitates bicycling for commuting, school,
shopping, and recreational trips.
Policies
4.1 Bicycle Networks. Provide bicycle facilities where shown on Figure 4.2
along all roadways to implement the proposed network of facilities
outlined in the General Plan.
4.2 Prioritized Improvements. Prioritize and capitalize on opportunities to
provide bicycle facilities that connect community facilities, supportive
land use patterns, pedestrian routes, and transit stations.
4.3 Bicycle Parking. Require public and private development to provide
sufficient bicycle parking.
4.4 Bicycle Education. Develop educational programs that educate bicyclists
on lawful/responsible riding.
4.5 Regional Bicycle Safety. Support regional efforts to educate all travelers
on measures to improve safety for bicyclists.
Transit Facilities. An integrated
transportation system that supports opportunities to
use public and private transit systems.
Policies
5.1 Transit Service. Promote public transit service in areas of the City with
appropriate levels of density, mix of residential and employment uses,
and connections to bicycle and pedestrian networks.
5.2 Bus Stop Location. Regularly review bus stop locations in conjunction
with Sunline Transit to ensure that bus stops reflect current land use and
transportation networks.
5.3 Private Transit. Encourage the implementation of private transit services
in a manner which minimizes negative impacts on public transportation
facilities.
5.4 Senior Transit. Encourage existing para transit services in the City to
provide transit access for seniors and persons with disabilities.
5.5 Private Development Access to Transit. Review development proposals
to limit impacts on existing or proposed transit facilities.
5.6 Safe Routes to Transit. Regularly review transit stop locations to maintain
safe access for pedestrians and bicyclists.
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Sustainable Transportation. A transportation
network that can be built, operated, and maintained
within the City’s resource limitations.
Policies
6.1 Fair Share Costs. Require that new development pay for its fair share of
construction costs related to new and/or upgraded infrastructure needed
to accommodate the development.
6.2 Multi-Modal Impacts. Develop and apply funding mechanisms that
require the fair share contributions for impacts to all modes of
transportation associated with development or redevelopment.
6.3 Operations and Maintenance Costs. Evaluate potential changes in
Citywide operations and maintenance costs for transportation facilities
prior to the construction of any new facilities.
6.4 Development Contribution to Operations and Maintenance Costs.
Consider funding strategies that require private development to
contribute to the ongoing operations and maintenance of transportation
infrastructure within the City.
6.5 Cap-and-Trade Funds. Take advantage of funds from the State’s cap-and-
trade program to apply to projects and programs in the City, when
possible.
Monitoring. A process to regularly monitor
the performance of City transportation facilities.
Policies
7.1 Ongoing Monitoring. Regularly monitor the performance of all major
transportation facilities within the City including major roadways,
pedestrian facilities, bicycle lanes, and transit stops.
7.2 Safety Review. Continue to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to
identify major accident locations including those affecting vehicles,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. Regularly publish reports regarding traffic
safety conditions in the city.
Transportation Innovation. A transportation
system that leverages emerging technologies to
improve mobility for residents, employees, and visitors.
Policies
8.1 Alternative Fueled City Owned Vehicles. Encourage the purchase of City
vehicles which use fuel sources other than fossil fuels while considering
factors such as cost effectiveness, environmental impacts, and the
availability of local maintenance.
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8.2 Innovative Vehicle Technologies. Regularly monitor and evaluate new
vehicle technologies such as autonomous and connected vehicles for use
by City Staff.
8.3 Emerging Mobility Strategies. Encourage the deployment of emerging
transportation approaches such as transportation network companies,
mobility hubs and comprehensive mobility providers by private vendors.
8.4 Big Data. Regularly evaluate new data sources including but not limited to
real time traffic and parking information for use by City Staff and
residents.
8.5 Analysis Tools. Regularly evaluate state of the practice transportation
analysis tools and procedures to determine their utility in the analysis of
existing and future transportation conditions.
8.6 Electric Vehicles. Encourage the use of electric vehicles (EV), including
golf carts and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) by supporting the use
of EVs and encouraging NEV charging stations to be powered with
renewable resources.
Regional Coordination. The City
transportation system operates as an integral element
of the larger regional system.
Policies
9.1 Regional Vehicular Traffic. Be mindful of local impacts from regional
“through” traffic. Consider but don’t prioritize the movement of through
vehicles through Palm Desert roadways.
9.2 Regional Roadways. Coordinate with Caltrans, RCTC, CVAG, and other
agencies on the planning, design, and construction of regional roadways
to provide an appropriate level of regional connectivity.
9.3 Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities. Coordinate with CVAG and
other agencies on the planning, design, and construction of regional non-
motorized routes such as CV Link.
9.4 Regional Transit. Collaborate with RCTC, CVAG, and Sunline Transit in the
planning, design, and construction of regional transportation facilities,
emphasizing the construction of a Metrolink station in Palm Desert.
9.5 Regional Priorities. Identify and prioritize desired regional roadway,
transit, and non-motorized improvements to focus the City’s outreach
with agencies such as Caltrans, CVAG, RCTC, and elected officials.
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5. HEALTH & WELLNESS
Overview
The social and physical environment in which we live has significant
impact on our overall health and wellness. Factors contributing to our
quality of life, health, and wellness include static characteristics such
as genetic makeup, and varying contributors such as access to
healthcare, social status, income, opportunities for quality education,
safe employment opportunities, and safe residences.
Healthcare, physical activity, and personal nutrition are direct factors,
but social determinants of health go beyond genetic makeup and the
healthcare we receive. Factors including social status, income, access
to nutritious foods, opportunities for education, and environmental
disparities all have the potential to affect community health and
wellness.
This Element presents priorities, objectives, and goals for health and
wellness improvements throughout the community. It includes goals
and policies that address existing community health concerns as well
as innovative solutions to ensure city streets, parks, and public spaces
are safe and comfortable now and in the future.
This section describes the social and environmental factors that affect
overall public health in Palm Desert and the region. Note that many
other social and physical factors that relate to health outcomes such
as demographics, school population, parks and open space, etc. are
described in other sections of the General Plan Update and its Existing
Conditions Report.
Statutory Requirements
The Health and Wellness element is not a required element of the General Plan.
Context
A broad range of social, economic, and environmental factors all contribute to health
including nutritious diets, active lifestyles, clean air and water, education, jobs, and
medical care. Cities can create policies that target these areas to address the specific
health needs and challenges of a community.
Active parks and open space improve
health.
Healthy communities promote active lifestyles.
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The leading causes of death within Riverside County and the Eastern Riverside sub
region, which includes the City of Palm Desert, are heart disease and cancer. Chronic
lower respiratory disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s are the third, fourth, and fifth
leading causes of death in the County. Approximately 27% of Palm Desert adults ages
20 and older are categorized as obese. In Eastern Riverside County, asthma was cited
as one of the top ten reasons for emergency room visit for children 5-11 years-old and
12-14 years-old. Palm Desert’s asthma rates are slightly higher than the national
average, and slightly lower than the California average. Development that encourages
active lifestyles such as parks, open space, and walkable neighborhoods are linked
with improvements in obesity and heart disease. Similarly, communities that provide
greater access to healthy foods can lead to improved diets and reduced rates of
obesity, heart disease, and cancer, while improved air quality corresponds with lower
incidence of respiratory disease and asthma.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity can help control weight, reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, strengthen bones and muscles, improve
mental health and mood, prevent falls among older adults, and increase chances for a
longer life. In a recent CDC study, researchers calculated that limiting the time
Americans spend sitting to three hours or fewer each day would increase the life
expectancy of the U.S. population by 2 years. Cutting down TV watching to fewer than
two hours each day would bump life expectancy up by another 1.4 years . Being
overweight can also have far-reaching impacts on lifestyles, negatively affecting self-
esteem and mental health. New data also suggests there is a “significant positive
relationship between physical activity and academic performance.” Sedentary living is
especially concerning for our youth as it can lead to shortened life spans. In general,
7th and 9th graders in Desert Sands Unified School District schools were on par with
the average Riverside County and California students. However, Abraham Lincoln
Elementary reported that 41.1% of the 5th grade students were at risk for Body
Composition measurements.
Healthy Food
Unhealthy eating habits are a primary risk factor for many leading causes of death in
California. They also contribute to the number of obese and overweight Americans.
Indeed, the relationship between obesity and chronic illness such as diabetes or heart
disease is also well-established. In the Coachella Valley, 21% of adults aged 20 and
older self-report that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30.0 (obese).
Excess weight may indicate an unhealthy lifestyle and puts individuals at risk for
further health issues.
While it is not our intent to force people to eat healthier, we can create local policies
and programs that can improve people’s access to healthier food options and help
make healthy food options an easier choice. The prevalence of diabetes is clearly
associated with unhealthy diets. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the
United States. Since the 1970s, the risk of developing diabetes has increased by over
50 percent for American adults. Specifically, more than 2.3 million people in California
had diabetes in 2011-2012 -- a 35% increase over 10 years, which can be directly
linked to lack of fitness and sugary diets. Improving access to healthy food can reduce
the risk of contracting diabetes for City residents.
Outdoor community exercise
Heathy local food options, such as a
farmers market
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Air Quality and Respiratory Health
Excessive automobile use by residents has multiple deleterious impacts on health.
Scientific studies have linked ozone and particle pollution to lung cancer, asthma
attacks, heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, and early death, as well as increased
hospitalizations for breathing problems. Looking at air quality in 545 counties in the
U.S. between 2000 and 2007, researchers found that people had approximately four
months added to their life expectancy on average due to cleaner air, and people who
lived in urban and densely populated counties benefited the most. Asthma affects
adults and children in Riverside County, particularly children living in poverty. In
Eastern Riverside County, asthma was cited as the one of the top ten reasons for
emergency department visits for children 5- to 11-years-old and 12- to 14-years-old.
Palm Desert’s asthma rates are slightly higher than the national average, and slightly
lower than the California average.
One of the greatest health risks associated with air pollution from particulate matter
is living near freeways and "high volume roadways." The prevalence of asthma is a
crucial indicator of local air quality. Asthma is one of the leading causes of school
absenteeism and can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed. Research
has shown that ozone air pollution may actually cause asthma in otherwise healthy
children.
Local air quality has a direct impact on
respiratory health.
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Goals and Policies
Public Park facilities. A network of parks with
safe and convenient access and resources for everyone.
Policies
1.1 Park amenities. In the design of parks or open spaces, provide paths,
running tracks, playgrounds, sport courts, and drinking fountains.
1.2 Mulitple users. Encourage active play structures and/or passive amenities
to be designed to accommodate a range of ages and abilities, especially
seniors.
1.3 Partnerships. Create partnerships with organizations to sponsor and
maintain green spaces and gardens on building sites.
1.4 Joint-use. Promote joint use of public and private recreational facilities for
community uses.
1.5 Increase park space. Require 5 acres of park space for every 1,000
residents, striving to have a park or recreation amenity within ½ mile of
most neighborhoods. Provide an increased focus on neighborhood parks,
mini parks and neighborhood plazas to serve residents.
1.6 Design for heat. Consider extreme heat in the design of parks and
playgrounds to facilitate activity in different weather conditions by
including shade structures, shade trees, water fountains, splash pads,
lighting for night play and other design features that mitigate heat.
1.7 Design for safety. Utilize CPTED design techniques such as providing clear
lines of sight, adequate llighting, and wayfinding signs, to ensure parks are
safe.
1.8 New development. Ensure that new residential developments provide
adequate on-site recreational and open space amenities consistent with
the values and standards of the community and the needs of new
development.
1.9 Open space trails. Develop and enhance existing open space and trails that
provide City residents and visitors access to undisturbed desert and
mountain environments, while preserving these resources, including
sensitive plant and animal species, in their natural environments.
1.10 Accessibility to parks. Seek new park locations that will serve residential
areas that are more than a quarter mile from an existing or planned park
or separated from an existing or planned park by a street that consists of
four or more travel lanes. Where possible, parks shall be associated with
and connected to the trail network.
1.11 Parks classification system. Adopt and utilize the parks classification
system identified in Table 6-1 to help guide maintenance and planning
work in the city.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 81
Park T ype Acre
R ange
Pop
R adius
Distance
R adius General C haracteristics
Mini parks Less than 1
acre to 1.5 acres
Not
population radius
sensitive
Within walking
distance of immediate
area
Parks that exist primarily in residential areas or adjacent to light business zones and have features such as grass, shade, trees, passive areas, green space, shelters, native plant life, playgrounds and play structures. Use is limited to the local neighborhood. They may be realized in “tot-lot” configurations that provide secure recreational space for small children and typically include equipment such as swings, slides, ‘monkey bars’ and sand boxes while leaving sufficient room for people to sit and enjoy the space. Mini-parks are intended to serve a population within a walking distance or short biking distance.
Plazas/greens Up to 2 acres
Not population radius sensitive
Close to entertainment and business support areas
Plazas and greens have the widest variety and the most intense activities of all open spaces. Plazas and greens serve as formal or informal community gathering spaces. Plazas are unique to the city and represent a connection to the culture of the community. These park types are often shaped primarily by building frontages. Plazas are shaped primarily by building frontages and are primarily hardscape with occasional landscape in planters or containers. Greens are landscaped open areas located at the center of a community. Features may include gazebos, water features, trees, shade, performance areas, public artwork and other similar features.
Neighborhood
parks About 1.5-15
6 to 10 acres per 1,000 residents
About a 2.5 mile radius in the developed area
Parks provide large unobstructed areas for passive or active recreation throughout neighborhoods. Often contain community gardens and playgrounds and are primarily landscaped. These parks are located in residential areas. They include features such as: grass, trees, restrooms, tot lots, picnic and shade shelters, grills, playground equipment, open fields, informal sports areas, swimming pools and/or neighborhood center.
Community parks About 10-50 acres
One site per
25,000 residents
About a 5 to
10 mile service radius
Parks located in large areas that are compatible to surrounding uses with features such as: large grass areas, large picnic and shelter areas, restrooms, on-site parking, swimming pool, community center, sports areas/complexes, lights, entertainment areas, special features such as skateboard areas, outdoor theatres, disc golf, BMX, exercise station, ponds and/or water features.
Special use parks 50+ acres
One site per 50,000 to 200,000 residents
About a 25 mile service radius
Parks not located in residential areas. Features might include: large scale sports complex, special events site (such as fairs and festivals), gardens, concessions, trails, natural/open space, lakes, animal uses.
Nature/open
space
As resources available (usually large)
Not population radius sensitive
As natural resource areas are available
Areas generally free from development or developed at low intensity uses that respect natural environmental characteristics and serve as preservation of natural, cultural, archaeological resources, passive outdoor recreation, public safety and health, and shape urban form. In some cases, these open space types may include working lands such as farms, ranches, and mining areas.
Greenways/ trails As resources
are available
Not
population radius
sensitive
Distance is a
function of in and between
park options
Greenways and trails may consist of walking, biking, hiking, equestrian, greenway, long distance, off road, rail, canal, and waterway with the purpose to meet passive or active recreation, informal or formal transportation.
Linear parks
Should
connect with
trails
Not
population
radius
sensitive
Tied to
neighborhood
entries and
park sites
Purpose is to connect parks, entry ways, transportation
route, and unique features. May be concrete, asphalt, or
crushed fine, among other options.
Table 5.1: Parks Classification Standards
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82 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
1.12 Economic opportunities. Utilize parks to maximize new and existing
economic development opportunities through recruitment of new
entertainment uses and by coordinating park development to support
commercial development.
Economic opportunity. A city that attracts
and supports new businesses, industries, and living
wage jobs.
Policies
2.1 Lifelong learning and professional development. Work with the school
district, Cal State, and Riverside County Regional Occupational
Center/Program to support mentorship professional development and
continuing education programs so working adults can expand their skills
and embrace lifelong learning.
2.2 Affordable housing. Encourage qualified employees to live in Palm Desert
through homebuyer and rental assistance and other programs as
recommended in the Housing Element.
2.3 Employee programs. Encourage employers to adopt healthy employee
programs and practices such as healthy work environments, healthy food
choices, or health challenges including weight loss, smoking cessation, or
physical activity.
Community Agriculture. Private and public
community garden space and programs that supply
healthy, local, affordable food.
Policies
3.1 Community gardens. Encourage community gardens, especially in new
affordable housing developments, multifamily developments and schools.
3.2 Public gardens. Allow the development of community gardens in parks,
public right-of-ways, alleys, parkways, vacant land and utility easements,
and encourage edible landscaping.
3.3 Private gardens. Allow for gardens on rooftops, residential front and back
yards, and indoor spaces.
3.4 Livestock. Allow the raising of animals such as bees, chickens, goats, etc. in
certain designated, low residential areas.
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Heathy food. A city with a variety of
accessible and affordable healthy food options.
Policies
4.1 Healthy food outlets. Utilize available incentives, grants, and/or programs
to encourage small grocery or convenience stores to sell basic healthy fresh
food items so as to expand the availability of healthy food within the City.
4.2 Farmers’ markets. Encourage farmers’ markets in a wide variety of formats
and venues.
4.3 Healthy food environments. Limit fast food retailers’ density throughout
the city, either by restricting the number of fast food retailers or increasing
the number of healthy food retailers.
4.4 Innovation. Support the development of food cooperatives as alternative
means of increasing access to healthy and fresh foods.
Healthcare and Social Services. Affordable,
accessible and high-quality health care and social
services for all residents.
5.1 Health care service levels. Work with local health care providers to ensure
the availability of adequate levels of health care services and facilities and
to attract more primary care physicians.
5.2 Healthcare training and education. Commensurate with population growth,
and responsive to the demographics of the city and the region, work with
the UC Riverside School of Medicine to encourage the development of
additional research, education and health care services to enhance access
to health care training and educational opportunities, and to urgent care,
in-home care and other medical treatment.
5.3 Innovative health services. Continue to encourage innovative health
services that cater to Palm Desert’s unique community and needs.
5.4 Accessible health and social services facilities. Ensure health and social
services facilities are accessible to residents and well served by transit.
5.5 Homegrown medical professionals. Aspire to cultivate “homegrown”
medical professionals from by supporting programs that create education
pipelines in health careers and providing lease assistance, tenant
improvements and capital contributions to new practices.
5.6 Healthcare accessibility. Consider and plan for individuals with disabilities
when locating health services and health-promoting uses including hospitals
and medical centers, schools, grocery stores and markets, and
governmental services.
5.7 Temporary health centers. Allow and encourage temporary healthcare
spaces and events such as mobile clinics, health fairs, church and school
clinics.
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5.8 Aging in Place. Encourage Aging in Place design and policies in new
development to ensure safe and easy access for seniors.
Air Quality. A city with clean, healthy air.
Policies
6.1 Near-source air quality impacts. Avoid locating new air quality-sensitive
uses (schools, child care centers, senior centers, medical facilities, and
residences) in proximity to sources of localized air pollution (e.g., Interstate
10, high traffic roads, certain industrial facilities), and vice versa. Where
such uses are located within 500 feet of each other, require preparation of
a health impact assessment (HIA) or similarly effective health analysis, as
part of the CEQA environmental review process, to analyze the significance
of the health impact on sensitive land uses and incorporate project-specific
mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts.
For sensitive land uses that cannot be avoided within 500 feet of sources of
localized air pollution, potential design mitigation options include:
Providing residential units with individual HVAC systems in order to
allow adequate ventilation with windows closed;
Locating air intake systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems as far away from existing air pollution sources as
possible;
Using HEPA air filters in the HVAC system and developing a
maintenance plan to ensure the filtering system is properly maintained;
and
Utilizing only fixed windows next to any existing sources of pollution.
Using sound walls, berms, and vegetation as physical barriers.
Notifying new potential home buyers of risks from air pollution.
6.2 Healthy buildings. Require new development to meet the State’s Green
Building Code standards for indoor air quality performance, and promote
green building practices that support “healthy buildings,” such as low VOC
materials, environmental tobacco smoke control, and indoor air quality
construction pollution prevention techniques.
6.3 Sensitive receptors. Avoid the siting of new projects and land uses that
would produce localized air pollution in a way that would adversely impact
existing air quality-sensitive receptors including schools, childcare centers,
senior housing, and subsidized affordable housing. The recommended
minimum distance separating these uses should be 500 feet. When a
minimum distance of 500 feet cannot be avoided, a health impact
assessment (HIA) shall be completed in compliance with Policy 5.1.
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Healthy Community Design. Development
patterns and urban design comprised of complete,
walkable, attractive, family-friendly neighborhoods,
districts and corridors that support healthy and active
lifestyles.
Policies
7.1 Physical plan. Facilitate the construction of a built environment that
supports a healthy physical and social environment for new and existing
neighborhoods and strengthens community cohesion.
7.2 Walkable streets. Regulate new development to ensure new blocks
encourage walkability by maximizing connectivity and route choice, create
reasonable block lengths to encourage more walking and physical activity
and improve the walkability of existing neighborhood streets.
7.3 Pedestrian barriers. Discourage physical barriers to walking and bicycling
between and within neighborhoods and neighborhood centers. If physical
barriers are unavoidable, provide safe and comfortable crossings for
pedestrians and cyclists. Physical barriers may include arterial streets with
speed limits above 35 mph, transit or utility rights-of-way, very long blocks
without through-streets, and sound walls, amongst others.
7.4 Health in new development. Evaluate the health impact and benefits of
new development projects in the early planning phases to maximize its
contribution to a healthier Palm Desert.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 87
6. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Overview
This element establishes the City’s vision, goals, and policies for
maintaining and preserving natural resources and open space. The
natural environment greatly affects human health, well-being, and
livelihood, making it vital to our future. Palm Desert’s unique identity
is largely due to its desert landscape.
The majority of the city’s protected open space is made up of public
and private golf courses. As the future of traditional golf courses
remains unknown, it is important that the City explore options for
rehabilitation while maintaining open space.
The dry, hot, sunny climate in Palm Desert produces opportunities
and threats for natural environmental resources. Opportunities for
alternative energy production through solar and wind energy are
ideal uses of the natural climate, while also jeopardizing water
resources. The City seeks to remain at the forefront of sustainability
through conservation efforts and limiting impacts on global climate
change.
The City will continue to explore new strategies for leading the
Coachella Valley in land use and transportation efforts that cultivate a
thriving and sustainable low-carbon community.
Statutory Requirements
California State law requires all general plans include conservation and open space
elements as defined in the Sections §65302(d) and §65302(e). An open space element
must contain goals and policies to protect and maintain state natural resources such
as water, soil, air quality, wildlife, minerals, and prevent wasteful resource exploitation
and destruction. It must also contain goals and policies for managing open space
areas, including undeveloped lands and outdoor recreation areas. This element
syndicates requirements and topics of both the conservation and open space element.
Context
Drought, climate change, and development pressure on environmental resources are
key issues within the City of Palm Desert. The California Department of Finance
estimated growth of 9,262 residents between 2000 and 2014, or 22.5% growth in the
Coachella Valley Preserve, located in the
northern Palm Desert Sphere of Influence
Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mountains, located
within the Palm Desert southern Sphere of
Influence
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88 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
city of Palm Desert. Significant population growth throughout Riverside County has led
to increased development pressure in and around the city. Without proper planning,
new development can contribute to further depletion of limited water and energy
resources, increased air and water pollution, and negative impacts on biological
resources. Water resources are a basic and necessary component of inhabitance, and
a community’s survival may be endangered if water needs cannot be met. As drought
continues to plague Southern California, it is vital for Palm Desert officials to develop
new policies and programs to conserve and protect the city’s water resources.
Planning policies that promote conservation, efficiency, environmental protection, can
prevent and mitigate these threats. Following are summaries of the important natural
resources that need to be taken into consideration as the city experiences new growth
and development.
Drought
Water Conservation
Increasing demand by a growing population on a limited water supply in the Coachella
Valley has led to a greater urgency for additional water conservation and efficiency.
The City’s Water-Efficient Landscaping Ordinance adopted as part of the California
Water Conservation Landscaping Act of 1990 established minimum water-efficient
landscaping requirements for all new and rehabilitated public and private landscape
projects.
The City strongly encourages conservation of water in the form of water-efficient
landscaping and irrigation design, as well as water-conserving home appliances and
fixtures. The City plays an important role in the long-term protection of this essential,
finite and valuable resource.
Water Resource & Supply
Palm Desert water supply sources include the Whitewater River, which runs west to
east through the center of the city, ultimately flowing into the Salton Sea. All other
waterways in the city lie south of the Whitewater River and drain from the Santa Rosa
and San Jacinto mountains. Waterways in the City include Palm Valley Stormwater
channel, Ramon Creek, Cat Creek, Bruce Creek, Dead Indian Creek, Ebbens Creek,
Grapevine Creek, and Carrizo Creek. In 2013, the annual water balance for the West
Valley portion of the Whitewater River sub-basin was negative. Imported water may
offset groundwater overdraft in a particular year. However, on a long-term basis,
diminishing water supplies will continue to be a challenge for Palm Desert.
Groundwater Management
The Coachella Valley Water District provides domestic water services to Palm Desert
using wells to extract groundwater from the Whitewater River sub-basin. The
Whitewater River sub-basin supply consists of a combination of natural runoff, inflows
from adjacent basins, returns from groundwater, recycled water, and imported water
use. The supply is supplemented with artificial recharge with imported State Water
Project Exchange and the Colorado River water. The natural supply of water to the
northwestern part of the Coachella Valley is not keeping pace with the basin outflow
due mainly to large consumptive uses created by the resort-recreation economy and
Aerial view of Palm Desert golf course
green and desert habitat
Credit: New York Times
Whitewater River Basin
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 89
permanent resident population. Much of the irrigation needs are met by annual
deliveries of Colorado River water through the Coachella Canal.
Climate Change
Palm Desert has taken positive steps towards mitigating impacts of climate change
and strives to remain at the forefront of this issue within Riverside County. Climate
change poses a threat to the health and safety of all residents across the region, state
and globe. California has adopted the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requiring
statewide climate planning—SB 375— which necessitates sustainable land use and
transportation patterns at the regional and local level.
Open Space and Habitat Conservation
The Coachella Valley Multispecies Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) protects
240,000 acres of open space covering 27 special-status species of plants and animals.
The CVMSHCP strives to safeguard significant habitat linkages and wildlife corridors,
while also enhancing infrastructure without environmental conflicts. The City of Palm
Desert is the signatory to the CVMSHCP with other participants including Riverside
County, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm
Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation
District, Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and the California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans). Much of the southern sphere of influence (SOI) is part of
the CVMSHCP Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area. Several
existing state and federal conservation lands are within the planning area.
Palm Desert is sensitive to preserving all biological resources through protective
measures and awareness. Using database research from multiple federal, state, and
local sources, special species within the City of Palm Desert have been identified.
Categorized as candidate, sensitive, or special-status species are those that are at
potential risk or actual risk to their persistence in a given area or across their native
habitat. Some of these species have been known to occur within the city of Palm
Desert, while others have a possible occurrence. California statutes (FGC Section 3503,
4700, 5050, 5515) afford “fully protected” status to species that have been identified
as endangered. In Palm Desert this includes 13 protected birds, 8 protected mammals,
5 protected reptiles, and 10 protected fish species. California statutes (FGC Section
3503, 4700, 5050, 5515) afford “fully protected” status to species that have been
identified as endangered. Based on data obtained from the California Native Plant
Species (CNPS) inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants in California (2014), 10
special-status plant species are known to occur in the Planning Area, while an
additional 12 species were determined to have the potential to occur within the city or
its Sphere of Influence.
Within the city and Sphere of Influence (SOI) boundary, one habitat, known as the
Desert Fan Palm Oasis, was identified in the California Natural Diversity Database
(CNDDB) query as a locally sensitive terrestrial natural community. Within the city, this
habitat occurs in discrete patches associated with springs or other perennial water
sources in the canyons of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. The majority of
the palm oases are not threatened by development because they either occur in
isolated canyons, or are surrounded by protected land.
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Figure 6.1 Areas Surveyed for Cultural Resources
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Cultural Resources
Palm Desert is located within the Coachella Valley and the broader Colorado Desert
region. The region has a rich cultural history. Although Palm Desert is a “new”
community, it is part of a region that has been occupied by humans for thousands of
years. Archaeological evidence indicates that a large number of settlements and
rancherias were established in the Coachella Valley region during the prehistoric
period. In more recent history, the region was occupied by a Native American group
known as the Cahuilla. Additional details on the history of the region can be found in
Cultural Resources Technical Background Report located in Volume II, Existing
Conditions Report.
There are a number of known cultural and historical resources located within Palm
Desert. However, only one-third of the city has been included in a cultural resource
study, leaving at least two-thirds of the city unsurveyed for cultural resources. Areas
surveyed for cultural resources are illustrated in Figure 6.1.
The City of Palm Desert Cultural Resources Preservation Committee maintains the
Palm Desert Register, a listing of historical landmarks within the city. A total of seven
landmarks are located within the city limits (Table 6.1).
Table 6.1 Palm Desert Register Listings
Name Description Location
Historical Society of Palm
Desert/Palm Desert Fire
Station
Ranch Vernacular-style
building
72-861 El Paseo
Shadow Mountain Golf
Club
First golf course in Palm
Desert
73-800 Ironwood
Portola Community
Center)
First community library in
Palm Desert
45-480 Portola Avenue
Sandpiper
Condominiums, Circles 11
& 12
Multi-family residential
buildings
El Paseo
Palm Desert Community
Church
City of Palm Desert’s first
community church
45-630 Portola Avenue
Schindler House for
Marion Toole
Single-family residence 44-870 Cabrillo Avenue
Randall Henderson House Single-family residence;
Home of Randall
Henderson, one of the
founders of Palm Desert
74-135 Larrea Street
The City currently reviews development proposals for their potential impacts to
archaeologically and historically significant resources and may require additional
studies if the potential for damage to resources exists. As future development
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92 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
proposals are received, they will be evaluated, and the need for site-specific cultural
resource assessments will be determined. This section sets forth policies aimed to
preserve the city’s cultural heritage and help perpetuate it for future generations.
Mineral Resources
The city is categorized as within the Mineral Resources Zone 3 (MRZ-3). This zone
includes areas containing known mineral deposits that may qualify as mineral
resources, which could be considered a resources. MRZ-3a areas are considered to
have a moderate potential for the discovery of economic mineral deposits. Areas
within the city may contain mineral deposits that may qualify as mineral resources.
Air Quality
Palm Desert is located within the Salton Sea Air Basin, which includes the central
portion of Riverside County and all of Imperial County to the southeast. The climate is
typical of a desert regime, with large daily and seasonal fluctuations in temperature
and relatively high annual average temperatures. High temperatures frequently
exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) for the summer months. During the winter,
temperatures can drop to near freezing (and below freezing at higher elevations).
The weather of the area is governed by large-scale warming and sinking of air in the
semi-permanent subtropical high-pressure center over the Pacific Ocean. The high-
pressure ridge blocks most mid-latitude storms, except in the winter when the high-
pressure ridge is weakest and farthest south. The coastal mountains prevent the
intrusion of the cool, damp air found in California’s coastal regions. Throughout the
year, average daily relative humidity is low, as are average rainfall values (only three
inches per year). Most desert moisture arrives from infrequent warm, moist and
unstable air masses from the south.
The flat terrain and strong temperature differentials created by intense heating and
cooling patterns produce moderate winds and deep thermal circulation systems. As a
result, the general dispersion of local air pollution is greater than in the coastal basins
where polluted inversion layers may remain for long periods of time.
The status of the Riverside County portion of the Salton Sea air basin with respect to
attainment with the CAAQS (State Standard) and NAAQS (Federal Standard) is
summarized in Table 6.2. The Riverside County portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin, in
which Palm Desert is located, is a non-attainment area for both the federal and state
standards for ozone and PM10. However, it should be noted that maximum ozone
concentrations in recent years were below the health advisory level.
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Table 6.2 State and Federal Attainment Status for Air Pollutants
Pollutants State Standards Federal Standards
Ozone (O3) Nonattainment Nonattainment
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Attainment Unclassified
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Attainment Unclassified
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Attainment Unclassified
Particulate Matter
(PM10)
Nonattainment Nonattainment
Fine Particulate Matter
(PM2.5)
Attainment Unclassified
Lead Attainment Unclassified
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94 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Water Resources. Protected and readily
available water resources for community and
environmental use.
Policies
1.1 Water conservation technologies. Promote indoor and outdoor water
conservation and reuse practices including water recycling, grey water re-
use and rainwater harvesting.
1.2 Landscape design. Encourage the reduction of landscaping water
consumption through plant selection and irrigation technology.
1.3 Conservation performance targeted to new construction. Incentivize
new construction to exceed the state’s Green Building Code for water
conservation by an additional 10 percent.
1.4 Greywater. Allow the use of greywater and establish criteria and
standards to permit its safe and effective use (also known as on-site water
recycling).
1.5 Waterways as amenities. When considering development applications
and infrastructure improvements, treat waterways as amenities, not
hazards, and encourage designs that embrace the waterways.
Goal 2. Visual Resources. A city with stunning views
of the hillsides and mountains surrounding the
Coachella Valley.
Policies
2.1 View corridor preservation. Protect and preserve existing, signature
views of the hills and mountains from the city.
2.2 Scenic roadways. Continue to minimize the impact on views by restricting
new billboards along the City’s roads and highways. Electronic and
animated billboards should be prohibited except in rare and special
circumstances.
2.3 Hillside grading. Continue to require the preparation of a grading analysis
on hillside development to pre-determine where development should
occur so as to minimize the impact of new development on views of the
city’s hillsides.
2.4 Public facilities. Plan public facilities, roads, and private development to
take advantage of the city’s mountain and hillside views, especially as the
City Center develops.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 95
2.5 Dark sky. Limit light pollution from outdoor sources, especially in rural,
hillside and mountain areas, and open spaces, to maintain darkness for
night sky viewing.
Goal 3. Passive Open Space. Preserved open space
areas that represent significant aesthetic, cultural,
environmental, economic and recreational resources for
the community.
Policies
3.1 Open space network. Require new development to comply with
requirements of the CVMSHCP.
3.2 Grading and vegetation removal. Limit grading and vegetation removal of
new development activities to the minimum extent necessary to reduce
erosion and sedimentation.
3.3 Preservation of natural land features. Preserve significant natural
features and incorporate into all developments. Such features may
include ridges, rock outcroppings, natural drainage courses, wetland and
riparian areas, steep topography, important or landmark trees and views.
Goal 4. Plant and Wildlife Habitat Areas. Plant and
wildlife habitat areas that are protected, productive,
viable natural resources and exist harmoniously with
adjacent development.
Policies
4.1 Buffers from new development. Require new developments adjacent to
identified plant and wildlife habitat areas to maintain a protective buffer.
4.2 Wildlife corridors. Support the creation of local and regional
conservation and preservation easements that protect habitat areas,
serve as wildlife corridors and help protect sensitive biological resources.
Landscape design. Continue to encourage new developments to
incorporate native vegetation materials into landscape plans and
prohibit the use of species known to be invasive according to the
California Invasive Plant Inventory.
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Goal 5. Climate Change. A resilient community that
reduces its contributions to a changing climate and is
prepared for the health and safety risks of climate
change.
Policies
5.1 Municipal operations. Conduct city operations so as to continually
reduce municipal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lead the
community in reducing GHG emissions.
5.2 GHG reductions. Promote land use and development patterns that
reduce the community’s dependence on, and length of, automobile
trips.
5.3 Existing GHG emissions. Work with community members and businesses
to support their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5.4 Monitoring progress. Monitor and update periodically the city’s target
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5.5 GHG Inventory. Periodically update the City’s greenhouse gas inventory.
5.6 Climate-appropriate building types. Seek out and promote alternative
building types that are more sensitive to the arid environment found in
the Coachella Valley. Consider the use of courtyard housing and
commercial buildings to provide micro-climates that are usable year
round, reducing the need for mechanically cooled spaces and reducing
energy consumption.
5.7 GHG reduction incentives. Support and incentivize projects that
innovatively and aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5.8 Climate change and health. Acknowledge the on-going and future
impacts of climate change and extreme events on Palm Desert’s
residents, taking action to minimize the effects among vulnerable
populations and help implement California's executive order (EO) s-13-
08 and the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy.
5.9 Adaptation strategy. Proactively develop strategies to reduce the
community’s vulnerability to climate change impacts.
5.10 Urban forest. Protect the city’s healthy trees and plant new ones to
provide shade, increase carbon sequestration and purify the air.
5.11 Reduced water supplies. When reviewing development proposals,
consider the possibility of constrained future water supplies and require
enhanced water conservation measures.
5.12 Designing for warming temperatures. When reviewing development
proposals, encourage applicants and designers to consider warming
temperatures in the design of cooling systems.
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5.13 Designing for changing precipitation patterns. When reviewing
development proposals, encourage applicants to consider stormwater
control strategies and systems for sensitivity to changes in precipitation
regimes and consider adjusting those strategies to accommodate future
precipitation regimes.
5.14 Heat island reductions. Require heat island reduction strategies in new
developments such as light-colored paving, permeable paving, right-
sized parking requirements, vegetative cover and planting, substantial
tree canopy coverage, and south and west side tree planting.
5.15 Public realm shading. Strive to improve shading in public spaces such as
bus stops, sidewalks and public parks and plazas through the use of
trees, shelters, awnings, gazebos, fabric shading and other creative
cooling strategies.
5.16 Reducing GHG emissions. In consulting with applicants and designing
new facilities, prioritize the selection of green building design features
that enhance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
5.17 Efficiency incentives. Provide incentives for households to improve
resource efficiency, such as rebate programs, and giveaways for items
such as low-flow showerheads and electrical outlet insulation.
Goal 6. Energy. An energy efficient community that
relies primarily on renewable and non-polluting energy
sources.
Policies
6.1 Passive solar design. Require new buildings to incorporate energy
efficient building and site design strategies for the desert environment
that include appropriate solar orientation, thermal mass, use of natural
daylight and ventilation, and shading.
6.2 Alternative energy. Continue to promote the incorporation of
alternative energy generation (e.g., solar, wind, biomass) in public and
private development.
6.3 Energy Efficient Buildings. Encourage new buildings and buildings
undergoing major retrofits to exceed Title 24 energy efficiency
standards.
6.4 Community development–subdivisions. When reviewing applications
for new subdivisions, require all residences be oriented along an east-
west access, minimizing western sun exposure, to maximize energy
efficiency.
6.5 Renewable energy–open space areas. Allow the installation of
renewable energy systems in areas designated for open space.
6.6 Publicly funded buildings. Require energy conservation as the primary
strategy to reduce energy demand in new and renovation projects using
public funds.
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6.7 Solar access. Prohibit new development and renovations that impair
adjacent buildings’ solar access, unless it can be demonstrated that the
shading benefits substantially offset the impacts of solar energy
generation potential.
6.8 Use of passive open space. Allow renewable energy projects in areas
zoned for open space, where consistent with other uses and values.
6.9 Public buildings. Require that any new building constructed in whole or
in part with City funds incorporate passive solar design features, such as
daylighting and passive solar heating, where feasible.
6.10 Municipal building energy efficiency. Strive for high levels of energy
efficiency in municipal facilities.
6.11 Energy-efficient infrastructure. Whenever possible, use energy-efficient
models and technology when replacing or providing new city
infrastructure such as streetlights, traffic signals, water conveyance
pumps, or other public infrastructure.
Goal 7. Green Building. Community building stock
that demonstrates high environmental performance
through green design.
Policies
7.1 Affordable housing – green design. Require affordable housing
developments to prioritize green building design features that reduce
monthly utility costs, enhance occupant health and lower the overall
cost of housing.
7.2 Education. Continue to provide technical support and information to
educate the development community about green building.
7.3 Reducing GHG emissions. In consulting with applicants and designing
new facilities, prioritize the selection of green building design features
that enhance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
7.4 Heat island reductions. Require heat island reduction strategies in new
developments such as light-colored cool roofs, light-colored paving,
permeable paving, right-sized parking requirements, water efficient
vegetative cover and planting, substantial tree canopy coverage, south
and west side water-efficient tree planting, and shaded asphalt paving.
7.5 Public realm shading. Strive to improve shading in public spaces such as
bus stops, sidewalks and public parks and plazas through the use of
trees, shelters, awnings, gazebos, fabric shading and other creative
cooling strategies.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 99
Goal 8. Air Quality. A city with limited sources of air
pollution.
Policies
8.1 Sources of Pollutants. Minimize the creation of new sources of air
pollutants within the city.
8.2 Land use patterns. Promote compact, mixed-use, energy efficient and
transit-oriented development to reduce air pollutants associated with
energy and vehicular use.
8.3 Single-occupant vehicle trip reductions. Provide disincentives for single-
occupant vehicle trips through parking supply and pricing controls in
areas where parking supply is limited and alternative transportation
modes are available.
8.4 Electric vehicles. Encourage the use of electric vehicles (EV), including
golf carts and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV), by encouraging
developments to provide EV and NEV charging stations, street systems,
and other infrastructure that support the use of EVs. Similarly,
encourage the use of renewable energy sources to power EV plug-in
stations..
8.5 Construction-related emissions. Require construction activities,
including on-site building and the transport of materials, to limit
emissions and dust.
8.6 Traffic congestion. In the instance where a significant health hazard may
be created, consider designs for new intersections to function in a
manner that reduces air pollutant emissions from stop and start and
idling traffic conditions.
8.7 Transportation demand management. Encourage employers to provide
transit subsidies, bicycle facilities, alternative work schedules,
ridesharing, telecommuting, work-at-home programs, employee
education and preferential parking for carpools/vanpools.
8.8 Transportation management associations. Encourage commercial, retail
and residential developments to create and participate in transportation
management associations.
8.9 Deliveries. Encourage business owners to schedule deliveries at off-peak
traffic periods.
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Goal 9. Cultural Resources and Sites. A city with
preserved and protected cultural resources that provide
the community with significant cultural, scientific, and
educational value.
Policies
9.1 Disturbance of human remains. In areas where there is a high chance that
human remains may be present, the City will require proposed projects to
conduct a survey to establish occurrence of human remains, if any. If
human remains are discovered on proposed project sites, the project must
implement mitigation measures to prevent impacts to human remains in
order to receive permit approval.
9.2 Discovery of human remains. Require that any human remains discovered
during implementation of public and private projects within the City be
treated with respect and dignity and fully comply with the California Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and other appropriate
laws.
9.3 Tribal coordination. Require notification of California Native American
tribes and organizations of proposed projects that have the potential to
adversely impact cultural resources.
9.4 Protected sites. Require sites with significant cultural resources to be
protected.
9.5 Preservation of historic resources. Encourage the preservation of historic
resources, when practical. When it is not practical to preserve a historic
resource in its entirety, the City will require the architectural details and
design elements of historic structures to be preserved during renovations
and remodels as much as feasible.
9.6 Paleontological resources. Require any paleontological artifacts found
within the City or its Sphere of Influence to be reported to the City and
temporarily loaned to local museums like the Western Science Center for
Archaeology and Paleontology, in Hemet, CA.
10 Mitigation and preservation of cultural resources. Require development to
avoid archaeological and paleontological resources, whenever possible. If
complete avoidance is not possible, require development to minimize and
fully mitigate the impacts to the resources.
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7. NOISE
Overview
This Element describes the City’s goals and policies related to noise. The
Noise Element provides a comprehensive program for including noise
control in the planning process. It is a tool for local planners to use in
achieving and maintaining land uses that are compatible with
environmental noise levels. The Noise Element identifies noise-sensitive
land uses and noise sources, and defines areas of noise impact for the
purpose of developing and implementing programs to ensure that Palm
Desert residents will be protected from excessive noise intrusion.
Statutory Requirements
California law requires that a general plan include elements (or chapters) specifically
addressing noise. This element was prepared to meet these requirements
(Government Code Section 65302(f).The noise element must identify and appraise
noise problems in the community from a variety of sources, establish a pattern of land
use that minimizes exposure of residents to excessive noise, and include possible
solutions to address existing and foreseeable noise problems.
Context
Noise-sensitive land uses, such as housing, schools, senior care facilities, parks, and
libraries can be adversely affected by excessive noise.
The predominant noise source in Palm Desert, as in most communities, is motor
vehicles. The city’s roadway system includes a range of facilities including regional
freeways, major highways and other arterials, and collector and local streets. Regional
connectivity to the City of Palm Desert is provided by Interstate 10, California State
Route 111, and California State Route 74. Within Palm Desert, major roadways include
Fred Waring Drive, Country Club Drive, Frank Sinatra Drive, Gerald Ford Drive, Dinah
Shore Drive, Monterey Avenue, Portola Avenue, Cook Street, and Washington Street.
Higher volume roadways within the city include Washington Street, (over 40,000
vehicles per day), Monterey Avenue (over 40,000 vehicles per day), Highway 111 (over
30,000 vehicles per day), and Fred Waring Drive (over 30,000 vehicles per day).
Freight rail service along the Union Pacific Railroad lines located immediately south of
and parallel to Interstate 10 are also responsible for generating substantial noise levels
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in this area. The Bermuda Dunes Airport is located approximately 1.75 miles east of
the current city limits, within Palm Desert’s sphere of influence. The Palm Springs
International Airport is located approximately eleven miles northwest of Palm Desert.
Both airports generate air traffic that can impact the community’s noise environment.
Other noise generators in Palm Desert include industrial operations, construction
activities, special event noise, commercial activities that include live music, and
lawnmowers and leaf blowers. Noise-sensitive receptors within the planning area
include schools, libraries, and senior care facilities.
Community Noise Equivalent Level
Noise is defined as unwanted or undesired sound. The combination of noise from all
sources near and far is known as the Ambient Noise Level. A very sudden change in air
pressure from the immediate “normal” atmospheric pressure results in airborne
sound. For purposes of this discussion, the ambient noise level at a given location is
termed “environmental noise”. Understanding environmental noise requires some
familiarity with the physical description of noise. The important characteristics of
sound include its frequency range, its intensity or loudness, and temporal/time-
varying aspect. The decibel (dB), A-weighted (dBA) scale, and Community Noise
Equivalency Level (CNEL) are all units of measurement used to describe and
numerically weight noise levels. The unit of measurement describing the amplitude or
strength of sound is the decibel. The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is the
weighted average of the intensity of a sound, with corrections for time of day, and
averaged over 24 hours. The time of day corrections require the addition of five
decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the addition of ten
decibels to sound levels at night between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The Noise Compatibility Matrix, shown in Figure 1, defines the level of acceptable
noise for different land uses found in the city.
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Table 7.1 Noise Compatibility Matrix
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(Map to follow with the publication of the Draft EIR)
Figure 7.1 Future Noise Contours
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 105
Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Land Use Planning and Design. A city where
noise compatibility between differing types of land uses
is ensured through the land use planning process and
design strategies.
1.1 Noise Compatibility. Apply the Noise Compatibility Matrix, shown in
Figure 7.1, as a guide for planning and development decisions. The City
will require projects involving new development or modifications to
existing development to implement mitigation measures, where
necessary, to reduce noise levels to at least the normally compatible
range shown in the City’s Noise Compatibility Matrix shown in Figure 7.1.
Mitigation measures should focus on architectural features and building
design and construction, rather than site design features such as
excessive setbacks, berms and sound walls, to maintain compatibility with
adjacent and surrounding uses.
1.2 Noise Buffers. Require an open space or other noise buffer between new
projects that are a source of excessive noise and nearby noise-sensitive
receptors.
1.3 Mixed Use. Require that mixed-use structures and areas be designed to
prevent transfer of noise from commercial uses to residential uses, and
ensure a 45 dBA CNEL level or lower for all interior living spaces.
1.4 County and Regional Plans. Periodically review County and regional plans
for transportation facilities and airport operation, to identify and mitigate
potential noise impacts on future development.
1.5 Airport Land Use Planning. Ensure that new development in the city
complies with all applicable policies contained in the Riverside County
General Plan Noise Element relating to airport noise, including those
policies requiring compliance with the airport land use noise compatibility
criteria contained in the airport land use compatibility plan for Bermuda
Dunes Airport, which is located within the City’s Sphere of Influence.
1.6 Land Use and Community Design. Prioritize the building design and
character policies in the Land Use and Community Character Element
over those in the Noise Element to ensure that new development meets
the design vision of the city. This policy will not apply when noise levels
are clearly in the incompatible range as shown in the City’s Noise
Compatibility Matrix shown in Figure 7.1.
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Goal 2. Stationary Sources of Noise. A city with
minimal noise from stationary sources.
Policies
2.1 Noise Ordinance. Minimize noise conflicts between neighboring
properties through enforcement of applicable regulations such as the
City’s Noise Control Ordinance.
2.2 Noise Control. Ensure that noise impacts from stationary sources on
noise-sensitive receptors and noise emanating from construction
activities, private developments/residences, landscaping activities, night
clubs and bars, and special events are minimized.
2.3 Entertainment Uses. Ensure that entertainment uses, restaurants, and
bars engage in responsible management and operation to control the
activities of their patrons on-site and within reasonable and legally
justifiable proximity to minimize noise impacts on adjacent residences
and other noise-sensitive receptors, and require mitigation as needed for
development of entertainment uses near noise-sensitive receptors.
2.4 Industrial Uses. Ensure that industrial uses engage in responsible
operational practices that minimize noise impacts on adjacent residences
and other noise-sensitive receptors, and require mitigation as needed for
development of industrial uses near noise-sensitive receptors.
2.5 Noise Barriers for Industrial/Commercial Sources. If necessary, and after
implementation of measures utilizing architectural features and building
design and construction consistent with Policy 1.2, require certain
industrial and certain heavy commercial uses to use absorptive types of
noise barriers or walls to reduce noise levels generated by these uses. To
be considered effective, the noise barrier should provide at least a 5-dBA-
CNEL noise reduction.
Goal 3. Mobile Sources of Noise. A city with minimal
noise from mobile sources.
Policies
3.1 Roadway Noise. Implement the policies listed under Goal 1 to reduce the
impacts of roadway noise on noise-sensitive receptors where roadway
noise exceeds the normally compatible range shown in the City’s Noise
Compatibility Matrix shown in Figure 7.1.
3.2 Traffic Calming. Implement traffic calming measures such as reduced
speed limits or roadway design features to reduce noise levels through
reduced vehicle speeds and/or diversion of vehicle traffic where roadway
noise exceeds the normally compatible range shown in the City’s Noise
Compatibility Matrix shown in Figure 7.1.
3.3 Synchronization of Traffic Lights. Ensure that all new traffic signals are
appropriately timed and synchronized with adjacent lights, even if in
neighboring cities, to the extent feasible in order to help promote a
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smooth flow of traffic and minimize excessive noise from acceleration and
braking. Also periodically assess the timing of existing traffic signals and
make any appropriate adjustments.
3.4 Railway Noise. Ensure that noise from rail lines is taken into account
during the land use planning and site development processes.
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 109
8. SAFETY
Overview
The City of Palm Desert strives to maintain a high level of safety and to
respect the natural setting of the community, while meeting the needs
of residents, a thriving economy, and critical government functions.
This element identifies priority public safety issues in Palm Desert and
addresses potential hazards to people and property. Issues in this
element include both natural and human-caused hazards. Goals,
policies and actions in the Safety Element seek to enhance the safety
of the community and foster long-term resilience to potential hazards.
Statutory Requirements
California law (Government Code Section 65302(a)) requires that a city’s general
plan include:
“a safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks
associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking,
ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to
mudslides and landslides; subsidence… and other geologic hazards known to the
legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires. The safety element shall
include mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address
evacuation routes …peak load water supply requirements, and minimum road widths
and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and
geologic hazards.”
As required by state law, the Safety Element identifies forces of nature and events
resulting from human action that have the potential to cause harm to life and
property in the city. Identifying the source of such threats allows decision-makers to
take preemptory action to minimize the damage, particularly as it relates to new
development projects. In addition to State-mandated components, the Safety
Element builds on the previous General Plan to emphasize the importance of police
services and personal safety. This element presents existing conditions relative to
public safety in Palm Desert and is organized to address the following six priority
safety issues required by state law and identified by the City’s (2012) Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan:
• Seismic and geologic hazards
• Flooding
• Extreme weather
• Fire
• Emergency preparedness
• Human-caused and other hazards
Palm Desert is known for high quality
emergency services
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The Safety Element is consistent with and supports the other General Plan elements.
The elements of the General Plan that most closely correlate to the Safety Element
are the Land Use and Community Character Element, Public Utilities Element,
Mobility Element, Housing Element, and Environmental Resources Element. While
the Safety Element has a less direct relationship with the remaining General Plan
elements, each element is important and collectively supports a comprehensive
framework for Palm Desert’s future.
Context
The Safety Element addresses a broad range of issues and hazards that affect the
community and residents of Palm Desert. Hazards and strategies from the Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)1, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
(MJHMP), Riverside County Unit Fire Plan, and Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
provide a foundation for policy development in this element. The Safety Element
also reflects technical information on the extent and scope of hazards, as described
in the City of Palm Desert Existing Conditions Report (2015). Relevant sections in the
report include Section 7 (Geology and Soils), Section 8 (Hazards and Hazardous
Materials), Section 9 (Hydrology and Water Quality), and Section 15 (Public Services,
Utilities, and Recreation). These sections provide technical information on hazards,
in addition to context regarding the local, state and federal regulatory framework.
Related Plans
The Safety Element supports and integrates several key plans that identify the City’s
approach to assess and reduce risks from hazards. In addition to local plans and
ordinances, several state and federal policies and programs shape the City’s
approach to hazard mitigation.
Two key local plans present programs and implementation strategies to assess and
respond to hazards. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) analyzes potential
hazards in Palm Desert. Included in the LHMP is a comprehensive risk assessment
that meets the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000. The DMA
requires local governments to prepare plans that identify hazards and risks in a
community and to create appropriate mitigation. Additionally, the City maintains an
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) as a framework for implementation of the
California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National
Incident Management System (NIMS). The EOP facilitates multi-agency and multi-
jurisdictional coordination for emergency operations across the region and state.
The City of Palm Desert is also a participant in the Riverside County Operational Area
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) (Riverside County 2012). The
MJHMP identifies the hazards, reviews and assesses past disaster occurrences,
estimates the probability of future occurrences, and sets goals to mitigate, reduce or
eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural and man-made hazards
in the county and participating jurisdictions, including Palm Desert.
As a contract city that receives fire services from Riverside County, which contracts
with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE). The City’s
fire response and preparedness planning is contained in the Riverside County Unit
1 County of Riverside Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, June 2012
http://www.rvcfire.org/ourDepartment/OES/Documents/MJHMP_-
_7.18.12_shrank2.pdf
Protecting community well-being and
health remains a high priority for Palm
Desert
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 111
Fire Plan 2 prepared by the County and Cal FIRE. This plan outlines the activities
necessary to reduce total government costs and citizen losses from wildland fires. A
key component of this protection of assets at risk through focused pre-fire
management prescriptions and increasing initial attack success. In addition, the City
has adopted the California Fire Code with some adoptions within Chapter 15.26 3of
the Palm Desert Municipal Code. The adoptions within this Chapter are associated
with local climactic, geologic, and topographical conditions within the City.
Natural Hazards
Seismic and Geologic Hazards
Palm Desert is in a region bordered by mountain ranges on three sides. According to
the state mapping of fault zones pursuant to the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Act of 1972 (Public Resources Code Sections 2621–2630), the city and the
sphere of influence (SOI) are not located in an active fault zone. Nonetheless, the
area is bordered by three active faults. The closest fault to the community is the San
Andreas Fault, located approximately four miles to the north. Other nearby faults
include the San Jacinto Fault, located approximately 10 miles to the southwest, and
the Elsinore Fault, located approximately 30 miles to the southwest. Figure 8-1
presents fault lines near Palm Desert and the sphere of influence.
Fault rupture is a primary seismic hazard that describes the sudden release of energy
which results from the sliding of one part of the earth’s crust past another. An
earthquake, or ground shaking, is another type of primary seismic hazard. Thousands
of earthquakes occur frequently in Southern California each year, although most do
not cause significant damage or affect communities. The most recent earthquake in
the Coachella Valley occurred on October 16, 1999, and registered as a magnitude
(M) of 7.1. Relatively negligible damage was reported from the earthquake because
of the epicenter’s remote location. Six major seismic events (magnitude 5.9 or
greater) have been recorded in the Coachella Valley region in the past 100 years,
with none occurring in Palm Desert (SCEC 2014).
Although no active faults run through the community, Palm Desert’s soils and
geologic characteristics result in other potential secondary seismic hazards. Due to a
combination of steep slopes, unstable terrain, and proximity to earthquake faults,
the southwestern portions of the city and the SOI are susceptible to landslide risks
ranging from moderate to very high. Areas susceptible to landslide are shown in
Figure 8-2. Susceptible areas include those identified in the Land Use and Community
Character Element for development of new buildings and structures. As of 2015, no
recent landslides had been reported in Palm Desert or the SOI.
Local soil and fault characteristics also result in the potential for liquefaction.
Liquefaction is the loss of soil strength caused by a sudden increase in pore water
pressure during shaking and is one of the most destructive secondary effects of
seismic shaking. The California Geological Survey does not identify liquefaction-
susceptible areas for Palm Desert. However, the Riverside County Land Information
System (Riverside County 2014) identifies that the majority of the city and the entire
northern portion of the SOI are susceptible to moderate liquefaction potential.
2 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside Unit Strategic Fire
Plan, http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/fire_er/fpp_planning_plans
3 Palm Desert Municipal Code,
http://www.qcode.us/codes/palmdesert/view.php?topic=0&frames=off
The San Andreas Fault located in close
proximity to Palm Desert
Terrain and steep slopes within Palm
Desert
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Figure 8.1 Faults and Fault Zones in Palm Desert
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Figure 8.2 Landslide Susceptibility
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Wind Erosion
Erosion is a normal geologic process whereby earth materials are loosened, worn
away, decomposed, or dissolved and are removed from one place and transported to
another. The City of Palm Desert and the SOI face exposure to potential erosion
hazards due to wind. The geologic orientation of the hills and mountain ranges
throughout the community provide little resistance to air flow down the Coachella
Valley, resulting in increased rates of erosion. For example, the narrow San Gorgonio
Pass actually accelerates the wind speed and further increases erosion rates.
Other factors in the community exacerbate the potential for wind-blown sand
hazards. Local bedrock is characterized by granite and metamorphic rock types,
which are easily transported by the wind. Wind-blown hazards also follow slope and
floodplains. Due to sparse desert vegetation, little groundcover exists to hold
materials in place (County of Riverside 2000).
As shown in Figure 8-3, the greatest areas of potential wind-blown hazards are
located alongside the sand dunes on Highway I-10 and the Whitewater River.
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Figure 8.3 Wind Erosion Hazard
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Flooding
Flooding hazards in Palm Desert can result from stormwater flows and flash runoff
from the Indio Hills and the foothills of the San Jacinto and San Bernardino
Mountains. The threat of localized flash flooding is especially high during summer
storms due to the high intensity and shorter duration of rainfall.
Palm Desert has a history of flood events. Recent regional occurrences include the
Riverside County floods in 1998 that resulted in reported damage of over $12
million. Locally, smaller flood incidents have also occurred in Palm Desert. Previous
local events in Palm Desert include flash floods that occurred in 1998, in addition to
flooding from Tropical Storm Kathleen in 1976 that caused extensive flood damage
throughout the city (Riverside County 2012, City of Palm Desert 2012). Nonetheless,
reported damages from these flood events in Palm Desert are low and far less
extensive than the reported damages from the countywide floods of 1998.
Areas of Palm Desert and the SOI are subject to inundation from flooding. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Digital Flood Insurance Rate
Map (2014) identifies two types of Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA):
The 100-year floodplain, designating a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in a
given year, and
The 500-year floodplain, designating a 0.2 percent or greater chance of flooding in a
given year.
North of Interstate 10, the majority of Palm Desert and the northern portion of the
SOI are within the 100- or 500-year flood zone. Additional 100- and 500-year flood
zones are present throughout the community along the Palm Valley Stormwater
Channel and the Whitewater River. Figure 8 4 depicts these SFHAs.
Applications for development in SFHAs are subject to Palm Desert Municipal Code
Title 28, Flood Damage Prevention. This title requires an applicant to obtain a
development permit before construction or other development begins in any area of
special flood hazard.
While areas of community flood exposure are indicated by designated flood zones,
other areas of Palm Desert are also susceptible to other types of localized flood risks.
Stormwater runoff or the failure of infrastructure can result in additional flood
events, both within and outside of designated flood zones. Stormwater drainage in
Palm Desert is approaching the end of its useful life. Existing stormwater
infrastructure throughout the Coachella Valley is more than 100 years old, requiring
replacement to control groundwater levels and safely facilitate percolation of
stormwater. As the community continues to urbanize, the need for improved
stormwater infrastructure will increase.
The possibility of dam failure poses additional potential flood hazards to Palm
Desert. Although no dams or reservoirs are located in the community or SOI, the city
is within the potential inundation area of the Wide Canyon Flood Control Dam. While
the city is not expected to be impacted directly by a seiche, or wave, from the dam,
Palm Desert is subject to potential flood hazards if the dam were to fail. Constructed
in 1968 and located in Fun Valley, the dam has the potential to inundate not just
Palm Desert but also other portions of the Coachella Valley.
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Figure 8.4 FEMA Flood Zones
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Fire
Palm Desert and the SOI are exposed to fire-related hazards from two potential
sources: wildfires and fires that occur in urban settings. Fire hazards are highest in
areas of the community near the wildland-urban interface (WUI). The WUI refers to
areas where development abuts areas of wilderness or landscapes with higher fuel
loads.
Although Palm Desert does not have record of any reported fire incidents, the
Riverside County MJHMP indicates that from 2001 to 2011, more than 60 large fires
(300 acres or greater in size) were reported in the county.
Figure 8-5 presents the three fire hazard severity zones in Palm Desert. The Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) was identified by the California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) based on fuel load, slope, fire weather, and
other relevant factors. The High (HFHSZ) and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones
(MFHSZ) were identified by the Riverside County Fire Department based on an
assessment of vegetation, slope, fire history, weather patterns, and the effects of
flames, heat and flying fire embers.
Collectively, areas designated in the fire hazard severity zones on Figure 8 5 face the
highest risk of wildfires. All areas of the community in VHFHSZ and HFHSZ are located
in the southern areas of the city and the SOI, with limited MFHSZ areas along the
city’s urban edge (Cal Fire 2007). Areas of local, state and federal responsibility in
these fire hazard severity zones are shown in Figure 8-5. As urbanization expands
south of Highway 111 in the southwestern portion of the SOI, the community will
face heightened exposure to areas vulnerable to wildfire hazards. Increased infill and
nonresidential development in the city can also increase the probability of urban
fires due to increased potential for hazardous materials accidents, arson or other
hazard events.
Both state and local codes regulate the abatement of fire-related hazards. The
California Health and Safety Code includes requirements for local jurisdictions to
adopt and enforce the Uniform Building Code, including fire-related construction
methods and exterior design measures. Special standards apply to structures in the
state’s designated fire hazard severity zones. California Government Code Section
51182 further requires maintenance of defensible space of 100 feet from each side
of a structure.
The City of Palm Desert has incorporated state requirements with adoption of the
2013 edition of the California Building Standards Code and the 2013 edition of the
California Fire Code by reference in Municipal Code Title 15, Building and
Construction. The state’s fire hazard severity zones shown in Figure 8-6 are
incorporated and established in Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 15.26.040,
supporting the City’s ability to enforce state standards applicable to areas of higher
risk.
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Figure 8.5 Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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Extreme Heat
Figure 8.6 Responsibility Areas and Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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The climate in Palm Desert is hot and arid. Exposure to extreme heat or extended
periods of high temperatures results in a variety of health effects, including
increased heat-related mortality (Chestnut et al. 1998; Medina-Ramon et al. 2006).
Because of a changing climate, Palm Desert is anticipated to experience increasing
levels of heat. The region is anticipated to experience an increase ranging from 3.8°F
to 6.8°F (Scripps Institution of Oceanography 2009). Similarly, Palm Desert is
anticipated to experience an increase in the number of days when temperature
exceeds 112°, the threshold for extreme heat. While Palm Desert’s historic number
of extreme heat days through 2011 was four occurrences per year, by 2050 the
number of extreme heat days could increase to more than 40 per year (Scripps
Institution of Oceanography 2009).
Human-Caused and Other Hazards
Hazardous Materials
A hazardous material is any material that, due to its quantity, concentration, or
physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to
human health and safety or to the environment if released. Hazardous materials
include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and any
material that a business or local implementing agency has a reasonable basis to
believe would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or would be harmful
to the environment if released.
While Palm Desert has nonresidential land uses, it has very few generators of
hazardous or toxic materials. Potential uses associated with possible hazardous
materials production may include commercial, quasi-industrial or medical
operations. The city and SOI have one abandoned hazardous waste site that is
designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Superfund site
(EPA 2014). The site, Enfield Chemical, is located at 77539 Enfield Court, just south of
I-10 in Palm Desert. Although listed as a Superfund site, this site is not on the EPA
National Priority List for cleanup, and only requires site cleanup and material
removal.
The potential for exposure to potentially hazardous materials in Palm Desert results
primarily from the transport of hazardous materials. As of 2015, one registered
transporter of hazardous materials is located in the community. In addition, major
transportation corridors such as I-10 may be used to transport hazardous materials;
accidents could result in release of hazardous materials. Major natural gas
transmission lines provide another potential source of hazardous materials exposure.
As of 2012, transmission lines for natural gas run parallel approximately two miles
north of I-10 and transmission lines for hazardous liquid are located along the I-10
corridor (PHMSA 2012).
The City jointly participated with Riverside County and other jurisdictions to adopt
the Riverside County Hazardous Waste Management Plan. The plan supports the
safe management of hazardous materials and waste products with identification of
types of wastes and programs to manage them.
Airport Operations Hazards
Hazards from airports can result from accidents during takeoff and landing. Airports
can also pose issues associated with land use incompatibilities. Bermuda Dunes
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Airport is the closest airport to the city and is located within the SOI. This privately
owned public use airport encompasses over 90 acres. For the 12-month period
ending April 30, 2014, the airport had approximately 27,000 aircraft flights at an
average of 74 per day.
Terrorism and Civil Disturbances
Numerous targets and locations for potential terrorist and civil disturbances are
present throughout California and Riverside County. Areas that may serve as targets
include government facilities, schools, religious institutions, gathering places (for
example, shopping centers, entertainment venues), medical clinics, utility
infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, water storage facilities, locations of
high-profile individuals, and financial institutions. Palm Desert contains potential
target locations such as these and is regionally located near others. The Riverside
County Emergency Management Office is actively involved with planning for
terrorism and other human-caused events. Due to the sensitive nature of these
threats, they are not addressed in extensive detail in this public document.
Critical Facilities
Critical facilities provide essential community functions that the City has prioritized
as meriting additional attention for emergency preparation. These can include both
public and private assets. Critical facilities identified in the City’s LHMP include City
Hall, local fire stations, the Sheriff’s Station, the Palm Desert Corporation Yard, local
schools, the Palm Desert Library, and the Joslyn Center.
Emergency Preparedness and Coordination
The City of Palm Desert actively prepares to safeguard the community from the
numerous potential hazards that could occur. The City undertakes several
emergency preparedness activities, establishing procedures and responsibilities for
emergency response. Land use rules and service providers also play a role in
achieving readiness for hazards and emergencies. Additionally, the City is supported
by several other external entities to provide response services.
Emergency Preparation
The City of Palm Desert has established a framework for emergency preparation and
response. Key preparation tasks and tools are outlined below, including an overview
of roles identified in the EOP.
Emergency Operations Center
The City’s Desert Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the central management
entity responsible for directing and coordinating the various City departments and
other agencies in their emergency response activities. The EOC also serves as the
physical location from which information and resources are coordinated. The City’s
Emergency Operations Plan establishes City Hall as the primary EOC, with an
alternate center located at the City Corporation Yard. The EOP provides guidance for
activation and deactivation of an Emergency Operations Center, including an action
plan for the EOC in event of an emergency.
Emergency Notification Program
The City of Palm Desert is a member of Riverside County's Emergency Alert System
(EAS). The EAS is a statewide network of commercial broadcasting stations and
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interconnecting facilities authorized by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to operate during national disasters or emergencies. The EAS provides
immediate warnings for hazards such as flash floods, child abductions, or needs for
evacuation.
Emergency Services – Peak-Load Water Supplies
The availability of water greatly affects the City’s ability to effectively respond to any
occurrences of fire. Water services in the Coachella Valley come from the Coachella
Valley Water District (CVWD). The CVWD provides domestic water services to Palm
Desert using wells to extract groundwater from the Whitewater River subbasin. The
groundwater supply consists of a combination of natural runoff, inflows from
adjacent basins, returns from groundwater, recycled water, and imported water use.
Drinking water is met primarily from groundwater sources, while irrigation water is
Annual demand for groundwater has exceeded the ability of the subbasin to
recharge, resulting in overdraft conditions. The CVWD, recognizing the need for
other sources of water to reduce demand on groundwater, initiated water
reclamation in 1967 and currently operates six water reclamation plants (WRPs) in
the valley. Recycled water from two of these facilities has served golf course and
greenbelt irrigation in the Palm Desert area for many years, reducing demand on the
groundwater basin. A third facility (WRP 7), located north of Indio, began providing
recycled water for golf course and greenbelt irrigation in Palm Desert in 1997.
The CVWD continues to expand recycled water services to golf courses and other
nonpotable needs to reduce peak-load supply. Typically, demand is highest during
summer months because of water needs for landscaping. Demand for recycled water
exceeds the CVWD’s current supply and would require additional infrastructure for
recycled water connections. The district has plans to expand pipeline connections to
the Mid-Valley Pipeline (MVP) recycled water system, with the potential to connect
at least 10 additional golf courses. Completion of the MVP project would further
reduce demands on groundwater and enhance the City’s ability to meet peak-load
water supplies during an emergency.
Emergency Access and Response
Evacuation Routes
Key evacuation routes in the city consist primarily of the north–south connections
between Palm Desert and I-10 and Highway 111, including Monterey Avenue,
Portola Avenue (following the planned construction of the interchange), Cook Street,
and Washington Street. Both Monterey Avenue and Washington Street provide all-
weather bridges to the highways. Cook Street and Portola Avenue also provide
connections across the Whitewater River.
Coordination with Riverside County will be critical to support connections to
unincorporated SOI areas. Areas of the SOI north of Interstate 10 have higher
potential for isolation in case of a hazard. In the southern SOI, areas along State
Route 74 such as Royal Carrizo could face similar challenges of isolation in case of a
hazardous event.
A process to identify evacuation routes appropriate to given hazards is established in
the City’s EOP. City departments are responsible for development of department-
specific Standard Operating Procedures and Response Plans with evacuation routes,
with varied priorities based on hazard.
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Emergency Access – Roadway Widths
To ensure the community is accessible to emergency response personnel, the City
establishes minimum roadway widths and access requirements. Section 26.40.040 of
the Palm Desert Municipal Code establishes minimum roadway widths for
subdivision development. Minimum widths range from 24 to 106 feet, with
standards that vary based on street parking characteristics. To date, roadway widths
or parked vehicles have not hindered emergency response access.
Emergency Services Agencies and Organizations
The City’s Risk Management Department coordinates and manages Palm Desert’s
emergency services and providers. The City’s Risk Manager serves as the
community’s emergency manager. Fire protection, first response emergency medical
services, and natural disaster preparedness services in Palm Desert are provided by
the Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD), in cooperation with the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). As of 2015, Palm Desert had a
total Fire Department staffing of 44 positions.
Emergency Dispatch Services
Regional communications and dispatch services are provided by the RCFD, which
serves approximately 1,360,000 residents in an area spanning 7,200 square miles. In
2013, the RCFD responded to 133,536 total incidents and 8,172 calls for service in
Palm Desert. The average en-route-to-on-scene response time was 3.6 minutes, with
86.2 percent of call response under 5 minutes.
Flood Services
Countywide, flood control services are provided by the Riverside County Flood
Control and Water Conservation District. The district has the responsibility of
protecting people, property and watersheds in the county from flood damage.
District tasks include regulation of drainage and development in the floodplain, the
construction of channels and flood facilities, and flood warning and early detection.
Both the Coachella Valley Water District and the Riverside County Flood Control and
Water Conservation District are responsible for the management of regional
drainage within and in the vicinity of Palm Desert, including rivers, major streams
and their tributaries, and areas of significant sheet flooding. The City participates in
stormwater management related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES). For purposes of NPDES permits, the City serves as a co-permittee
with the County of Riverside, CVWD, Riverside County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District, and municipalities in the Whitewater River subbasin.
Police Services
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department provides contract services in Palm Desert
and the SOI as the Palm Desert Police Department (PDPD). Services include general
law enforcement and police protection services. As of early 2015, the PDPD operated
with 81 staff members.
Regional Services and Coordination
The City of Palm Desert participates in regional forums to monitor and coordinate
emergency preparation tasks. The City participates in the Coachella Valley
Emergency Managers Association, in addition to the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments’ (CVAG) Public Safety Group. Both forums provide an opportunity to
identify and prepare regional evacuation routes and other key emergency response
tasks.
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In coordination with the RCFD Office of Emergency Services, the City of Palm Desert
also plans for extreme heat conditions. Together with the County, the City operates
two local cooling stations during extreme heat occurrences: the Joslyn Center
located at 73750 Catalina Way, and the Palm Desert Community Center located at
43900 San Pablo Avenue. These cooling centers offer a safe, air-conditioned space in
times of extreme heat.
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Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Leadership. City leadership that promotes
collaboration within the region that sustains maximum
resilience to emergencies and disasters.
Policies
1.1 Hazards Information. Establish and maintain a database
containing maps and other information that identifies and
describes the community’s hazards.
1.2 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Maintain and regularly update the
City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) as an integrated
component of the General Plan, in coordination with Riverside
County and other participating jurisdictions, to maintain
eligibility for maximum grant funding.
1.3 Hazards Education. Consult with agencies and partners to
provide public education materials on safe locations and
evacuation routes in case of emergency or hazardous event.
1.4 Critical Facilities. Prepare existing critical facilities for resilience
to hazards and develop new facilities outside of hazard-prone
areas.
1.5 Emergency Plans and Processes. Consult with the Coachella
Valley Emergency Managers Association and CVAG to maintain
and update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan, and maintain
SEMS compliant disaster preparedness plans for evacuation and
supply routes, communications networks, and critical facilities’
capabilities.
1.6 Utility Reliability. Coordinate with providers and agencies
including the CVWD and Southern California Edison for access to
reliable utilities and water supply to minimize potential impacts
of hazards and emergencies to pipelines and infrastructure.
1.7 Citizen Preparedness. Continue to promote citizen-based
disaster preparedness and emergency response through
Riverside County’s Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) training and certifications.
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Goal 2. Geologic hazards. A built environment that
minimizes risks from seismic and geologic hazards,
including hazards due to wind erosion.
Policies
2.1 Seismic Standards. Consider exceeding minimum seismic safety
standards for critical facilities that ensure building function and
support continuity of critical services and emergency response
after a seismic event.
2.2 Structural Stability. Maintain development code standards to
prohibit siting of new septic tanks, seepage pits, drainage
facilities, and heavily irrigated areas away from structure
foundations to reduce potential soil collapse.
2.3 Seismic Retrofits to the Existing Building Stock. Create a phased
program for seismic retrofits to existing public and private
unreinforced buildings to meet current requirements.
2.4 Wind Hazards. Support integrated land management for site
design and improvements that protect the natural and built
environment, including both public and private structures, from
hazardous wind events.
Goal 3. Flood hazards. A community where flooding
and inundation hazards are contained within areas
reserved for open space.
Policies
3.1 Flood Risk in New Development. Require all new development
to minimize flood risk with siting and design measures, such as
grading that prevents adverse drainage impacts to adjacent
properties, on-site retention of runoff, and minimization of
structures located in floodplains.
3.2 Flood Infrastructure. Require new development to contribute to
funding regional flood control infrastructure improvements.
3.3 Stormwater Management. Monitor, update, and enforce
stormwater management plans in coordination with regional
agencies, utilities, and other jurisdictions.
3.4 Open Space for Flood Control. Prioritize open space or uses that
serve recreational purposes as a preferred land use within areas
of high flood risk.
3.5 Dam Failure. Disseminate information on dam inundation areas
subject to potential risks of flooding in the event of dam failure
or seismic hazard, including preparation for seiche events, which
can be caused by seismic events and consist of the occurrence
of a standing wave that oscillates in a body of water, such as a
dam.
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Goal 4. Fire hazards. Existing and future
development is protected from wildfire hazards, with
decreased frequency and intensity of wildfire incidents
despite increased density and urbanization within the
community.
Policies
4.1 Fire Preparation. Maintain optimal fire readiness and response service
in coordination with Riverside County and other agencies.
4.2 Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Adopt and implement fire mitigation
standards for areas designated as High and Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones per CalFire.
4.3 Brush Clearance. Require new development and homeowners
associations to maintain brush clearance criteria that meets 120% of the
current state requirement for fire hazard severity zones in the city.
4.4 Inventory of Structures for Fire Risk. Prepare an inventory of all
structures and ownership information for structures in each fire hazard
severity zone in the city and the SOI.
4.5 Fire Education. Disseminate information on fire risks and minimum
standards, including guidance for new development in the wildland-
urban interface and fire hazard severity zones.
4.6 Future Emergency Service Needs. Require new developments and
homeowners associations along the wildland urban interface to house
the proper equipment and infrastructure to respond to wildland fire
incidents.
4.7 Open Space Preservation. Consult with neighboring jurisdictions,
private property owners, and other agencies to identify resource
management activities that can both enhance open space areas and
reduce wildland fire.
Goal 5. Extreme weather. Improved quality of life
for residents, workers, and visitors during extreme heat
events.
Policies
5.1 Extreme Heat Vulnerabilities. Analyze and address groups with
vulnerabilities to extreme heat, including youth, the elderly, nursing
homes, or communities with older structures that lack adequate air
conditioning.
5.2 Education on Extreme Heat. Educate visitors and residents on the risks
of extreme heat using brochures, public service announcements, and
other methods.
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5.3 Backup energy sources. Obtain and install backup power equipment for
critical public facilities to ensure they are functional during a power
failure that might result from extreme weather.
5.4 Below ground utilities. Provide information and education to encourage
private stakeholders with formation of assessment districts that would
finance and replace overhead electric lines with subsurface lines that
will not be affected by fallen trees and branches during windstorms.
5.5 Tree trimming. Support utility companies in their enforcement of the
national guidelines on tree trimming and vegetation management
around electric transmission and communication lines to prevent or
reduce the potential for felled branches or trees to cause power outages
and disrupted communications.
5.6 Wind barriers. Encourage the preservation and establishment
of additional wind barriers in the form of hedges and tree lines
to reduce the effects of dust and sand.
Goal 6. Human-caused hazards and hazardous
materials. A safe community with minimal risk from
hazardous materials and human-caused hazards.
Policies
6.1 Site Remediation. Encourage and facilitate the adequate and
timely cleanup of existing and future contaminated sites and the
compatibility of future land uses.
6.2 Airport Hazards. Upon annexation of areas within the Bermuda
Dunes Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Area, adopt and
implement airport compatibility zones for protection of people
and property.
6.3 Airport compatibility. Require new development in the vicinity
of Bermuda Dunes Airport to conform to the County’s airport
land use and safety plans. Notwithstanding the allowable land
use intensities and densities set forth by the Land Use and
Community Character Element, there may be more restrictive
density and intensity limitations on land use and development
parameters, as set forth by the Airport Land Use and
Compatibility Plan. Additionally, per the Airport Land Use Plan,
there may be additional limits, restrictions, and requirements,
such as aviation easements, height limits, occupancy limits, and
deed restrictions, required of new developments within the
vicinity of the airport.
6.4 Wildlife Hazards Study. New developments proposing golf
course or significant open space and/or water features shall
prepare a wildlife hazard study if the site is within the Airport
Influence Area.
6.5 Airport Land Use Commission Review. Before the adoption or
amendment of this General Plan, any specific plan, the adoption
or amendment of a zoning ordinance or building regulation
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within the planning boundary of the airport land use
compatibility plan, refer proposed actions for review,
determination and processing by the Riverside County Airport
Land Use Commission as provided by the Airport Land Use Law.
Notify the Airport Land Use Commission office and send a
Request for Agency Comments for all new projects, and projects
proposing added floor area or change in building occupancy
type within 2 miles of the airport.
6.6 Federal Aviation Administration Review. Projects that require
an FAA notice and review will be conditioned accordingly by the
City to obtain an FAA Determination of No Hazard to Air
Navigation prior to issuance of any building permits.
6.7 Residential Development near airport. New residential
development within Airport Compatibility Zone D shall have a
net density of at least five dwelling units per acre. New dwelling
units should not be permitted as secondary uses of the Urban
Employment Center General Plan Designation within Airport
Compatibility Zone C.
6.8 Nonresidential Development near airport. The land use
intensity of nonresidential structures within Airport
Compatibility Zones B1, C, and D shall be limited as set forth by
Table 2A of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
6.9 Hospitals near airport. Prohibit hospitals within Airport
Compatibility Zones B1 and C and discouraged in Airport
Compatibility Zone D.
6.10 Stadiums and gathering spaces. Discourage major spectator-
oriented sports stadiums, amphitheaters, concert halls shall be
discouraged beneath principal flight tracks.
6.11 Regional coordination. Promote coordinated long-range
planning between the City, airport authorities, businesses and
the public to meet the region's aviation needs.
6.12 Railroad Safety. When considering development adjacent to the
railroad right-of-way, work to minimize potential safety issues
and land use conflicts associated with railroad adjacency.
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9. PUBLIC UTILITIES & SERVICES
Overview
This Element establishes the City’s long-term goals and policies for
producing, managing, and maintaining its infrastructure systems and
public utilities. The City of Palm Desert has a history of abundant and
high quality public services and utilities. Maintaining appropriate levels
of public service and utilities is critical as the city expands and develops
the University Area and Downtown One Eleven Corridor. City facilities
and public services sustain and support the long-term health and well-
being of the community. They require regular maintenance and
expansion to meet the demands of a growing population and to
improve their environmental performance. The Public Utilities Element
provides background research, goals, and policies to guide the
provision of public utilities and services to support existing and new
development in Palm Desert.
Statutory Requirements
State law requires all general plans to include a conservation element which addresses
the “conservation, development and utilization of natural resources” (California
Government Code §65302(d)). Natural resources identified by statute include water,
forests, soils, wildlife, minerals, and other resources. This chapter addresses the
conservation of natural resources through goals and policies targeting stormwater
management, energy conservation and utilities, and recycling and solid waste. This
chapter also addresses other topics related to infrastructure, public facilities, and
public services. The Circulation Element includes additional content related to
transportation and street infrastructure.
Context
Infrastructure and utility decisions have widespread impact on housing, development,
investment patterns, and quality of life. As Palm Desert expands, so does the need for
additional buildings to accommodate City personnel and infrastructure to provide
capacity for everything from educational services to wastewater management. It is
imperative to coordinate the timing of new development with infrastructure and
public utility capacity, so demands are adequately met. Also, providing reliable
Renewable energy in Palm Desert
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revenue sources to support the costly maintenance and replacement required for
aging infrastructure is of high importance.
Services and opportunities should be available and accessible to everyone in the
community. At the same time, employment and economic benefits associated with
building and maintaining infrastructure should be shared. The means for collecting
revenues to fund infrastructure improvements should be determined and applied in
ways that are fair and do not disproportionately burden those with lower incomes.
New development should not have a negative impact on existing residents and should
contribute to City resources so the current level of services can be maintained.
Policies supporting well-maintained infrastructure, utilities, and sufficient police and
fire services are essential for achieving broader development objectives and for
supporting the future envisioned by the residents of Palm Desert. The Infrastructure
and Public Services Element addresses the changing public service and infrastructure
needs and provides for their logical and timely expansion to keep pace with growth.
Emergency Response
Fire protection, emergency medical services, and natural disaster preparedness
services in Palm Desert are provided by the Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD).
The Palm Desert Office of the Fire Marshal provides services aimed at reducing the risk
of fire and public injury.
Police Protection
The Palm Desert Police Department (PDPD) serves under contract by the Riverside
County Sheriff’s Department, providing police protection and crime prevention
services to residents of Palm Desert and the nearby SOI.
Schools
Public education services and facilities are provided to Palm Desert by the Desert
Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) and Palm Springs Unified School District. The
DSUSD operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in
the city and SOI. Public schools are supplemented by fourteen private schools that
provide early education to children of residents. The Palm Springs Unified School
District owns a future K-8 school site within Palm Desert city limits. In addition, Palm
Desert is home to four colleges and universities that provide a variety of vocational
and advanced education opportunities.
Energy
Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electricity to most of Palm Desert, except for
a small portion of the city south of Interstate 10. SCE’s facilities include high-voltage
transmission lines, which range up to 115 kilovolts (kv) in Palm Desert. Lower voltage
distribution lines, which are typically gauged at about 12 kv in the city and SOI, provide
electricity to individual residences and other users.
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is a non-profit, community-owned utility district
that serves customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego
counties. The IID provides electric services to a limited portion of the city and to
Palm Desert Sheriff Station
Pam Desert Aquatic Center
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Bermuda Dunes and the portion of the SOI north of the I-10. IID facilities in the city
and SOI include 230 kv, 161 kv, and 92 kv transmission lines, as well as 34.5 kv and 12
kv distribution lines. The IID operates several substations, all outside of the city and
SOI north of Interstate 10. The IID obtains its power from a combination of
hydroelectric, diesel, thermal, and geothermal generation sources.
Climate Adaptation and Sustainability
Climate change is a threat to the health and safety of Palm Desert residents, as well as
those in other parts of the region, state, and globe. Concerned about the impact of
climate change, California has adopted a wide variety of legislation policies aimed at
reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. These include the California Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which requires state-wide climate planning; SB
375 which requires and encourages sustainable land use and transportation patterns
at the regional and local level; and various actions by the state attorney general’s
office.
In 2010, Palm Desert City Council approved the City’s Environmental Sustainability
Plan and Greenhouse Gas Inventory and formed a citizen’s sustainability committee to
act as an advisory and consulting board regarding the management and conservation
of Palm Desert natural resources. The Citizen’s Sustainability Committee is a
conglomerate of industry professionals that reviews proposals, offers feedback, and
helps develop appropriate policies that help meet the City’s goals. The six resource
areas covered include the built environment, energy management, materials
management, regional air quality, transportation resources, and water management.
Water Supply and Usage
Potable and non-potable water is provided to the city by the Coachella Valley Water
District (CVWD). Water demand in Palm Desert and the surrounding regions is
supplied by several sources including: groundwater, surface water from local streams,
imported water from the State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River by way of
the Coachella Canal, and recycled water.
Groundwater Demand and Conservation
Natural sources of groundwater recharge come from runoff and infiltration from the
San Bernardino, San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, as well as inflow from other
subbasins to the west.
Wastewater and Sewage
Wastewater and sewage collection and treatment services are also provided by the
CVWD. The only outlets for groundwater in the Coachella Valley are through
subsurface outflow under the Salton Sea or through collection in drains and transport
to the Salton Sea via the Coachella Valley Storm Channel (CVSC).
Desert water supply is strained by heavy
pumping
Coachella Valley Water District
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134 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Stormwater. Stormwater management
system that leads to clean water, basin recharge and
increased water retention.
Policies
1.1 Stormwater infrastructure for new development. Require development
projects pay for their share of new stormwater infrastructure or
improvements necessitated by that development (regional shallow
ground water).
1.2 On-site stormwater retention and infiltration. Whenever possible,
stormwater shall be infiltrated, evapotranspirated, reused or treated on-
site in other ways that improve stormwater quality and reduce flows into
the storm drain system.
1.3 Groundwater infiltration. Encourage the use of above-ground and natural
stormwater facilities in new development and redevelopment, such as
vegetated swales and permeable paving .
1.4 Stormwater re-use and recycling. Encourage innovative ways of capturing
and reusing stormwater for non-drinking purposes to reduce the use of
potable drinking water.
1.5 Recycled water. Work with the CVWD to encourage existing golf courses
to connect to its recycled water system.
1.6 Collaborative stormwater management. Encourage collaborative,
integrated stormwater management between multiple property owners
and sites.
1.7 Low impact development. Require the use of low-impact development
strategies to minimize urban run-off, increase site infiltration, manage
stormwater and recharge groundwater supplies.
1.8 Green infrastructure in public rights-of-way. Encourage green streets
with in-street bio-retention and other forms of stormwater retention and
infiltration in streets and public rights-of-way.
1.9 Regional and local collaboration. Collaborate with Thousand Palms,
Rancho Mirage, Cahuilla Hills, Bermuda Dunes, and agencies in the
watershed to reduce and remove contaminants from stormwater runoff.
1.10 Stormwater in urban context. Development projects shall incorporate
stormwater management into landscaping, except in downtown
designations where catch basins shall be prohibited.
1.11 Water quality detention basins. Require water detention basins to be
aesthetically pleasing and to serve recreational purposes, such as in the
form of a mini park. Detention basins designed for active uses are
intended to supplement park and open space and should not be counted
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towards a developer’s minimum park requirements, unless otherwise
determined by the Planning Commission or City Council.
1.12 Retention Basins. Encourage storm water retention basins, especially in
the City Center Area, to be underground in future development so as to
achieve the most efficient use of land and compact development and
promote the urban character goals of the General Plan.
1.13 Soil erosion. Require the prevention of water-born soil erosion from sites,
especially those undergoing grading and mining activities.
Goal 2. Sewer. Sewer management and facility
operations that allow for adequate disposal within the
community.
Policies
2.1 Sewer system maintenance. Work with the Coachella Valley Water
District to ensure sewers are operational and in good working order.
2.2 Sewer infrastructure for new development. Require development
projects to pay for their share of new sewer infrastructure or
improvements necessitated by that development.
2.3 Sewer connections. In the event that a sewer line exists in the right-of-
way where a lateral line connection is required to serve a lot, require a
sewer connection at the time the lot is developed.
Goal 3. Water Supply. Ensure a sustainable, clean,
long-term water supply.
Policies
3.1 Agency coordination. Coordinate on an ongoing basis with the Coachella
Valley Water District, and other agencies responsible for supplying water
to the region.
3.2 Water Supply. Provide a clean, reliable citywide water supply sufficient to
serve existing and planned development.
3.3 Water infrastructure. Maintain existing water infrastructure to protect
the supply, quality, and delivery of potable water.
3.4 Water infrastructure for new development. Require development
projects to pay for their share of new water infrastructure or
improvements necessitated by that project.
3.5 Recycled Water. Expanded use of recycled water in existing and new
development.
3.6 Citywide water conservation and efficiency. Encourage and promote
community water conservation and efficiency efforts, including indoor
and outdoor efforts that exceed CalGreen requirements.
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136 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
3.7 Priority infrastructure improvements. Prioritize water infrastructure
improvements in areas with failing, insufficient or end of useful life
infrastructure.
Goal 4. Near zero waste. A highly efficient
community that produces very little solid waste.
Policies
4.1 Provide waste and recycling services. Provide solid waste, recycling, and
green waste services to the community at a reasonable rate.
4.2 Zero waste government operations. Strive for zero waste government
operations, modeling best practices in solid waste management and
recycling for the rest of the community.
4.3 Waste reduction. Seek to continually reduce Palm Desert’s rate of waste
disposal per capita, and to increase the diversion rate of recycling and
green waste.
4.4 Recycled building material. Encourage the use of recycled building and
infrastructure materials in new public and private development.
4.5 Paper waste reduction. Reduce paper waste and encourage the use of
recycled paper in City operations.
4.6 Community coordination. Confer and coordinate with utility and civic
services providers in planning, designing and siting of distribution and
supporting facilities to assure the timely expansion of facilities in a
manner that minimizes environmental impacts and disturbance of
existing improvements.
Goal 5. Telecommunications. A city with high quality
telecommunications services.
Policies
5.1 Quality telecommunication services. Support the creation of a
broadband service throughout Palm Desert.
5.2 Telecommunication services. Power and other transmission towers,
cellular communication towers, and other viewshed intrusions shall be
designed and sited to minimize environmental and visual impacts and
environmental hazards.
5.3 Unobtrusive utility lines. Utility lines on major streets and scenic
roadways shall be designed and sited to assure minimal environmental
and visual impacts and environmental hazards.
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Goal 6. Education. A city with world-class
educational opportunities.
Policies
6.1 Future demand. Cooperate and coordinate with the Desert Sands and
Palm Springs Unified School Districts and state agencies in identifying
potential school sites needed to meet future demand, as well as the
planning, site acquisition and development of educational facilities in the
city.
6.2 Higher education. Support and encourage well planned, higher
educational facilities in Palm Desert including satellite university
campuses and vocational training schools in medical research and
technology, particularly in the Cook Street “education corridor”.
6.3 Library space. Ensure adequate library space, services, books and other
resources are available to residents and students.
6.4 Health services. Plan and encourage health care facilities and clinics
located in close proximity to schools and public facilities.
6.5 Quality early education. Collaborate with the Desert Sands and Palm
Springs Unified School Districts and and local private schools to maximize
educational quality.
6.6 Prioritize higher education. Support new University endeavors within
Palm Desert including University of California Riverside and San
Bernardino, College of the Desert and Brandman University.
Goal 7. Emergency Services. Continue to provide
excellent emergency services to the community.
Policies
7.1 Quality of service. Provide courteous, responsive, and efficient police and
fire services.
7.2 Review of new development. Work with the Riverside County Sherriff’s
Department and the Riverside County Fire Department to review and
modify development proposals to incorporate defensible space, Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and other public
safety design concepts into new development.
7.3 Serving new growth. Expand police and fire service coverage in
conjunction with new growth to ensure quality of service does not
diminish.
7.4 Water pressure. Ensure that sufficient water service and pressure is
available throughout the city for use in firefighting.
7.5 Recycled water for fire Suppression. Consult with the CVWD to support
efforts to expand reclaimed water supply from municipal wastewater for
fire suppression needs.
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138 | CITY OF PALM DESERT
7.6 Increasing fire hazards. Encourage Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire
Department to explore the trends of increasing fire hazards associated
with the drought and increasing temperatures and to develop new fire
hazard mitigation strategies.
7.7 Emergency Preparedness. Work with Riverside County Fire Department,
the Riverside County Sherriff’s Department and the Palm Desert Police
Department, along with residents to ensure that sufficient emergency
plans and resources are established and known by all stakeholders.
7.8 Fire and emergency services. Continue to coordinate with Riverside
County Fire Department to ensure continued excellent fire and
emergency services.
7.9 Police services. Work with all available resources to ensure continued
excellent and cost effective police services in Palm Desert.
10. CITY CENTER AREA PLAN
Vision
Palm Desert’s 111 Corridor will be systematically transformed from its current outmoded
highway strip character to an attractive, comfortable, and walkable boulevard through
the heart of Palm Desert's expanded mixed-use downtown district, with a character
and quality compatible with to El Paseo. City-initiated access, parking and urban design
improvements will support private reinvestment in mixed-use infill development that
will evolve what is already a fine regional shopping destination to a livelier, more diverse,
18-hour mixed-use district. Over time, a San Pablo streetscape transformation project
and new development along the San Pablo Corridor will connect the El Paseo/111
downtown district to the Civic Center at Fred Waring to create a unified City Center --
the nucleus for commercial, civic and cultural life in Palm Desert.
Intent & Overview
The City Center Area Plan is an in-depth plan aimed at establishing a
true city center within Palm Desert by creating a framework, design
objectives and implementation techniques for future development.
Aerial view of the 111 Area facing north
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Process
Introduction
Purpose & Plan Making Process
The desire to develop a plan for Palm Desert’s City Center emerged from the City’s
recent Strategic Planning efforts, Envision Palm Desert. Through the Strategic Plan, the
community specifically expressed interest in “Creating a mixed-use city core integrating
shopping, dining, lodging, and housing” and “revitalizing the Highway 111 corridor
through land use and travel corridor evolution and visual improvement” among
several other goals related to arts and culture, economic development, energy and
sustainability, land use, housing and open space, parks and recreation, public safety and
emergency services, tourism and marketing, and transportation.
As Palm Desert initiated an update to the General Plan, the desire to create a strategy
for catalyzing transformation of the City Center was identified. Rather than a separate
Specific Plan or Vision Plan, the City determined that the City Center Area Plan
should serve as a subset of the Palm Desert General Plan to avoid conflicting policy or
repetition.
Public Engagement
Throughout the plan development process, the community was invited to participate
and share their ideas for the future of the City Center Area at workshops held on three
different occasions:
October 2014 – Approximately 40 community members gathered for the first of three
workshops to kick off the project and share ideas, issues, concerns, and opportunities
for the future City Center Area.
December 2014 - The second workshop had approximately 30 participants, and served
as an opportunity to check in with the community and present preliminary design ideas
and concepts based on previous input and direction from the community during the
October workshop.
March 2015 - The final workshop focused on presenting a refined set of design ideas
and concepts based to the 35 community members in attendance prior to developing
policies and an implementation plan.
Area Context
The City Center Area is centrally and strategically located in the heart of the Palm Desert
community, and the larger Coachella Valley region. As illustrated in Figure 1.2, the
City Center is located at the crossroads of Highway 111, and Highway 74, making the
area ideally suited to meet local, regional, and tourist commercial and entertainment
purposes. The City Center Area boundaries extend the full length of the City from east to
west along Highway 111 and roughly to the south by Shadow Mountain Drive and to the
north by Alessandro Drive. The City Center Area also extends up San Pablo Avenue to
connect the “downtown” to Civic Center Park and related civic and cultural venues.
Individual notes from workshop #3
Palm Desert community workshop
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Existing Conditions
History & Development Patterns
The City Center includes much of the area where Palm Desert began back in the 1940s. The
historic city center has a traditional urban structure of interconnected streets, buildings that
face and are accessed from the street, on-street parking and parking located within the centers
of the blocks.
Historic development began along the north side of Highway 111 in the 1940s and 1950s, and
shifted south toward El Paseo during the 1960s and 1970s and west of Monterey toward the
Westfield shopping mall.
Building Character
The existing character of the City Center Area can typically be divided into two types of places:
west of Monterey Avenue, where the existing development pattern is automobile-oriented
with very large blocks, no on-street parking, and the primary buildings are separated from
the street by large surface parking lots, and east of Monterey Avenue, where development
includes smaller blocks, more connecting streets, buildings located close to and facing the
street, and many streets with on-street parking for convenient customer and visitor access.
East of Monterey Avenue, 111 is dominated by small footprint retail, restaurant, and office
buildings that typically face and are accessed from frontage roads. Most buildings are located
at or near the front property line and provide a pedestrian-friendly face with street-facing
windows, shopfronts, and entries. Many buildings also have entrances at the rear of the
building, providing access to rear parking lots.
City Center Area Plan boundary
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Street Network & Mobility
The City Center Area contains a variety of streets, each of which plays a different role in
the street circulation network. Within the City Center Area, there are primary arterials
(Hwy 111, Hwy 74, Fred Waring Dr, El Paseo, Monterey Ave, San Pablo Ave, Portola Ave,
Deep Canyon Rd), and a series of collector/neighborhood streets, non-through streets,
private drives, and service alleys.
Existing bicycle facilities within and providing access to the City Center are comprised
primarily of Class II Bike Routes – where the bike (and golf cart) lane is striped within the
paved area of the roadway – and Class III Bike routes – where bikes share the curbside
vehicular travel lane with motor vehicles.
Sunline Transit is the main bus transit service provider in Palm Desert and serves the
City Center Area with five different transit routes: Line 32 provides north-south service
between 111 and Palm Springs through Palm Desert along Monterey Avenue and Bob
Hope Drive; Line 53 provides service along much of 111 to areas north via Cook Street
and Portola Avenue; Line 54 provides east-west service between Palm Desert and Indio
along Fred Waring Drive; Line 111 provides east-west service along One Eleven between
Downtown Palm Springs and Indio; and Commuter Link 220 provides commuter service
between Palm Desert and Riverside.
Property Ownership
Most of the parcels within the Plan Area are privately owned, although there are a few
City-owned parcels (on Portola Avenue, Shadow Mountain Drive, Town Center Way, and
Monterey Avenue). The City owns the site where the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm
Desert is located. There are also a number of vacant parcels scattered throughout and
near the Plan Area, a few of which are also owned by the City.
Parking
Parking is provided both in surface parking lots and on the street. West of Monterey
Avenue, large surface lots are located between the principal buildings and the street.
East of Monterey Avenue, parking lots are mostly located at the center of the block,
in President’s Plaza, which results in the more pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly streets
that are needed for a successful downtown environment. West of Monterey Avenue,
on-street parking is absent. East of Monterey Avenue, on-street parking is provided
along frontage roads, along both sides of El Paseo, as well as along some of the smaller
streets. Most parking lots are privately owned, although about half of the parking spaces
between 111 and El Paseo are City-owned, public parking lots, or have a public parking
easements.
Existing Highway 111 frontage road
Existing San Pablo frontage road
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Vision
This section provides a long-term vision for land use and development in the City Center
Area of Palm Desert over the next 20 to 30 years. This section articulates the vision for
the City Center area and identifies the key concepts needed to transform the City Center
and achieve the vision.
Area Vision
The City Center is the economic and cultural activity center of the city and the Coachella
Valley. It is intended to be the most intensely developed area of Palm Desert. The area is
anchored by City Hall, the College of the Desert campus, and the shopping district of El
Paseo. The City Center is oriented around a formal arrangement of streets that respects
the original pattern of Palm Desert organized around a multi-way boulevard. This area
of the City will be comprised of a variety of uses including retail, institutional, public,
tourist accommodations, office, and residential. The future City Center will exhibit
town-scale buildings and development patterns: taller buildings at key intersections
and gateways, compact development, a lively street scape, a pedestrian orientation,
and strong neighborhood connectivity. Key strategies for this transformation will center
around:
Access Improvements: These will simplify automobile access and improve
circulation, moderate traffic to speeds that are more consistent with a comfortable City
Center environment, and greatly improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and comfort.
Landscape and Urban Design Improvements: New landscaping, street
furnishing, wayfinding and public art will transform streetscapes and public open spaces
of the City Center into a place of unique and unrivaled comfort and beauty.
Parking Improvements: Parking improvements will organize and improve public
parking facilities – including on-street parking, shared parking lots, and future parking
structures – as a managed system that ensures adequate and efficiently utilized parking
as the City Center evolves, diversifies and intensifies over time. Management strategies,
such as time limits on parking, will be employed when they can defer need for capital
investment or cost effectively increse parking efficiency.
Picture of President’s Plaza parking
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The City Center will be a walkable, mixed-use,
amenity-rich place that serves the retail, civic,
recreational, and entertainment needs of
Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley region.
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(See pg. 150 for Gateway Designs.)
Figure 10.1 City Center Design Framework
0’1000’ 2000’
0.5 mi.
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Design Objectives
Access
Primary access to the City Center area is provided by Highway 111. In its current form it
encourages driving speeds that are higher than recommended for a pedestrian-oriented
City Center environment. Secondly, the pattern of access in and out of the frontage
roads lining 111 is confusing and inconvenient. Finally, pedestrian and bicycle facilities
are inadequate for a mixed-use City Center that aspires to be world class. Key strategies
for correcting these deficiencies include:
A. Improving the pedestrian environment:
Every element of the proposed public improvements are intended to make it safer and
more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities to inhabit the public spaces of the
City Center. Key elements of this improvement include:1.Wider sidewalks, most buffered from moving traffic by curbside parking, street
trees, and other street furnishings, and shaded by trees and buildings;
2.Wider and better marked crosswalks;
3.Shorter walking routes, facilitated by new pases through the existing very large
blocks; and
4.Allowing the construction of buildings up to 3, 4 and 5 stories, in key locations as
defined in the new zoning regulations.
B. Making access safer for all users: Access from 111 to the frontage
roads will be reoriented to provide direct entry and exit from 111 in the manner of a
traditional boulevard, as described in Section 2.1.
C. Improving bicycle access: A safer and more comfortable bicycling
environment will be provided through the following strategies:5.Providing new buffered Class II or Class IV protected bike lanes on 111;
6.Introducing new Class II bike lanes on other streets; and,
7.Reducing vehicular speeds on other streets to allow bicycle traffic to safely mix
with vehicular traffic.
D. Moderate Vehicle Speeds: Wide streets and wide travel lanes invariably
increase vehicular speeds. Wide streets that are flanked by low buildings and are absent
of strong vertical elements, such as dense rows of street trees, lack the spatial definition
and sense of enclosure that not only tempers driving speeds, but also creates a sense of
place. Strategies for addressing these issues include:1.Re-striping 111 to provide the same number of travel lanes at reduced widths
and adding buffered bike lanes and reconfigured parking in the resulting excess
pavement adjacent to the curb;
2.Managing traffic congestion and speeds with synchronized traffic signals so vehicles
driving at the posted speed can efficiently pass from one green light to the next;
3.Planting new double rows of palm trees on both sides of 111 and in the median,
as described in Section 2.1.
Example of shared access
Prioritize alternative transportation modes throughout the city
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Landscape and Urban Design Improvements
The streetscape improvements described in Section 2.1 integrate the envisioned
access improvements with a range of improvements to the spatial definition, aesthetic
appearance, and pedestrian comfort of the City Center’s public realm, including:1.Frontage Roads. Introducing new streetscape along the building side of the
frontage roads.2.San Pablo and other cross streets3.Gateways
These improvements will enhance the economic value of City Center businesses,
offering increased pedestrian-oriented development, public safety, and passive
gathering and open spaces throughout the corridor.
Parking Improvements
Managing Parking as a District-wide Resource
Within downtowns, parking can make or break both the economics of new develop-
ment as well as the creation of a town center feel. Managing the parking within the City
Center as a single, cohesive system can enable quality development and further ena-
ble the achievement of the City’s vision of a people-oriented City Center. In part, new
quality development can be better facilitated by shared parking structures because the
per-space costs are typically lower than individual, site specific parking structures. If new
projects have the option of utilizing the shared district parking supply, a true City Center
development pattern – rather than a patchwork of buildings and parking lots – can be
achieved. Strategies for achieving a district-wide parking system include:4.Adopting and maintaining a district-wide plan for expanding the parking supply in
an orderly fashion prior to major new development occurring;
5.Implementing a shared parking strategy that allows new private development to
take advantage of offsite parking facilities;
6.Constructing new parking structures as catalytic investments;
7.Maintaining the Presidents’ Plaza parking areas as well organized, clean, safe and
comfortable facilities to attract new investment along 111; and
8.Operating the parking supply like a public utility, where supply is managed so that
premium spaces are turned over more quickly and available for customers.
Example of a new downtown parking structure for the 111 area
Structure 3 Presidents Parking Lot (maintained)Structure 1 Structure 2
For more details on parking systems, see Centralized Parking Strategy, pg. 162.
Figure 10.2 Parking Integrated with Future Development (Conceputal Plan Only)
Residential
Retail
Residential over Retail
(For Conceptual Purposes only.)
Parking
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Corridor Plan Overview & Scope
Project Scope & Focus Areas
The primary focus area is approximately 1-mile of the 111 corridor that traverses the
center of Palm Desert. The corridor is bordered by Portola Avenue on the east and
Highway 74 on the west, and it is crossed by seven north-south streets (listed east
to west): Portola Avenue, San Luis Rey Avenue, Larkspur Lane, San Pablo Avenue,
Las Palmas Avenue, Lupine Lane, Sage Lane, San Marcos Avenue, and Highway 74.
The intersections of these streets with 111 will be important locations to implement
new urban design standards as they span the length of the 111 corridor. They will be
primary nodes for vehicular traffic, parking, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, retail and
commercial uses, opportunities for future development, and open spaces. In addition,
numerous frontage roads run parallel with 111, serving existing retail and commercial
found along 111 itself and El Paseo, a major high-end shopping district one block to the
south.
A second focus area is along San Pablo Avenue, extending north from El Paseo. San
Pablo Avenue presents many opportunities related to streetscape renovations and
traffic calming that will bolster connections to the larger community and Civic Center.
In particular, San Pablo Avenue will feature a future roundabout at its intersections
with San Gorgonio Way. This will allow the City and future developers to introduce and
incorporate active and passive open spaces such as the existing community gardens and
other public frontages.
A third focus area lies within San Alessandro Drive, one block north of 111. Currently,
San Alessandro has a number of vacant lots that will be linked and transformed into a
“Woonerf” District, a walkable flexible-use arts district pioneered to integrate live-work
developments with the surrounding community and bolster cultural institutions and
businesses.
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Implementation Overview
Implementing the Plan
Transforming the City Center will be achieved as follows:
1. I I I Frontage Road Median Improvements the entry points providing access
to the frontage roads are relocated from the side streets to 111. In addition,
the Class I cycle tracks and landscape - including palm trees within the
median between 111 and the frontage roads - are introduced.•Depending on funding, this project can occur along the entire length of 111
within the City Center or only along certain blocks. If only certain blocks are
improved, the first blocks to be improved should be those at and near the
intersection of 111 and San Pablo Avenue.
•In addition, if funding is available, the 111 re-striping, center median landscape,
new frontage road access points, cycle track, and landscaping and trees between
the cycle track and the frontage road could all be introduced all at once, either
block by block or for the entire length within the City Center.
2. Intersection landscaping•Intersection landscaping can be introduced as a standalone project or along with
the 111 Frontage Road Median Improvements (#2) or the Gateway Monument
Signage (#6).
3. Frontage Road Improvements
Frontage road improvements consist of two portions: Reconfiguration of the
frontage road pavement area, including reconfiguring the parking orientation, narrowing
the travel lanes to make room for wider sidewalks, and introducing street trees between
parking spaces. Improving streetscape along the sidewalks next to frontage road
facing buildings. These improvements can occur concurrently or separately. These
improvements could happen block by block as each bock redevelops incrementally over
time.
4. Traffic Signal Synchronization•Concurrent with the re-striping project, traffic signals should be re-synchronized
at the very least for the length of 111 within the City Center, but ideally along
the entire length of 111 within the City. Like the 111 re-striping, this can also
be phased over time: first the length of 111 within the City Center; then, the
segments between the City Center and the City’s boundaries.
5. I I I Lane Striping and Median Landscape and Class II Buffered Bike Lane•First, 111 is re-striped with 10-foot wide lanes and new landscaping is introduced
in the center median. In addition, Class II buffered bicycle lanes demarcated
by paint are introduced on both sides of 111 - bicycle lanes may be converted
to Class IV cycle tracks as detailed below in the 111 Frontage Road Median
Improvements (#2).
•Depending on funding, this project can occur along the entire length of 111 within
the City Center or only along select blocks. If only select blocks are improved, the
first blocks to be improved should be those at and near the intersection of 111 and
San Pablo Avenue.
6. Gateway Monuments Signage
•Gateway monuments can be introduced as a standalone project or along with
other projects such as the 111 Lane Striping (#1), 111 Frontage Road median
improvements (#2), or the Intersection landscaping (#5), or mid-block Crossings
(#7).
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Figure 10.3 Corridor Framework & Key Nodes
0’600’1200’
.25 mi.
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7. Mid-Block Crossings•Mid-Block Crossings can be introduced as a standalone project or along with
other projects such as the 111 Lane Striping (#1), 111/Frontage Road median
improvements (#2), the Intersection landscaping (#4), or the Gateway Monument
Signage.
Phasing from the Center
1.111’s transformation starts at the intersection of 111 and San Pablo Avenue and
then over time expands eastward and westward along 111 and northward along
San Pablo Avenue.2.The frontage roads are transformed and reconfigured with reconfigured parking
and street streets –starting at and near the intersection of 111 and San Pablo – and
expanding outwards from there. Other projects – such as gateway monuments and
signage, crosswalks, and gateway landscape – are introduced over time and once
Palm Desert’s City Center is established.3.Finally, 111 is re-striped with narrower lanes and a Class II buffered bike lane and
new landscaping, including stately rows of palm trees, is introduced in the center
median. Then, the median between 111 and the frontage roads is reconfigured
and renovated with new frontage road access from 111 rather than from the side
streets, a new Class I cycle track separated from 111 by landscaping, and new
landscaping, including rows of palm trees.
Implementing the Design Standards
The standards and alternatives herein are intended to provide the City, civil engineers,
developers, architects and other design-related professionals with a clear vision and
quantifiable standards to implement all new projects within the Palm Desert 111
Corridor. All design standards contained in the Manual are collectively prioritized for
phasing according to their location and general aesthetic importance, influence over
future economic development opportunities, vehicular-bicycle-pedestian circulation,
public safety, and ease of implementation.
All proposed designs and/or modifications to the Implementation Manual, including
improvements to issues of access, landscape and urban design, and parking should be
followed whenever possible and must meet the baseline standards of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code and the approval of City staff and engineering.
Figure 10.4 Phasing Diagram
San PabloHwy-111Hwy-111 Priority
Area
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Streetscape & Public Realm Overview
111 Corridor
Proposed in the 1930s amid growth along the Southern Pacific Railroad, Highway 111
extends 130.2 miles to serve as a regional connector for many desert communities
including Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and
Indio.
Today, 111 is the first visual impression of Palm Desert for many people arriving in or
passing through the city. A central goal of the 111 Corridor Plan is to systematically
evolve the physical design and functional characteristics of 111 to from that early 20th
Century desert highway to a 21st Century City Center Boulevard. The transformed
111 Corridor will provide an aesthetically cohesive, practically connected, safe and
welcoming city center that emphasizes pedestrian activity and community life, balanced
with and not dominated by high-speed automobile traffic. The 111 Corridor will become
the city’s primary gateway as an iconic arrival point and a major hub for civic and
commercial life and future developments in the Coachella Valley. In addition to 111
itself, the Corridor is supported by the following key districts and streetscape categories:
Downtown District: Most properties within the Plan Area - see exbihit to right -
are zoned Downtown District, enabling mixed-use development fronting 111, El Paseo,
and cross sreets. The certain blocks near San Pablo Street - and at some other cross
street nodes - are designate for more intense development with a Downtown Core Over-
lay, and prioritized for early phases of 111 improvements to catalyze change. Certain
areas along the north edge of the Plan are designated as Downtown Edge, to provide for
appropriate scale transitions to adjoining single-family neighborhoods. Refer to the City
Center Zoning Standards for more information.
111 Boulevard Improvements: As presented in some detail on the following
pages, frontage roads of various designs currently line the north and south frontages of
111, and improvements are intended to improve vehicular circulation and pedestrian
and bicyclist comfort and safety, and transform the design character of the street to
that of an important downtown boulevard. A series of future "side access lane" config-
urations and designs is presented, as models for the evolution of the existing frontage
roads. A table is provided, recommending which side access lane configurations should
be applied to , to which the existing along with a table recommending which future con-
figurations are best targeted to each the several existing conditions.
Note that in the same way that the mixed-use zoning allows flexiblity in the location of
ground floor commercial and residential uses, the side access lane types offer some op-
tions best suited to ground floor retail and restaurant frontages and some more suitable
for residential use. The City will coordinate with property owners and developers on a
block by block basis to determine which side access lane configuration will be applied.
San Pablo Avenue: San Pablo Avenue is the primary linkage between the 111
corridor, the City Center, and Palm Desert’s Civic Center to the north. Considering its
wide rights-of-way, surrounding commercial and residential uses, and public frontages
that include community gardens, significant opportunities exist to transform San Pablo
Avenue into a prime area for future public and private development.
Three future street types are defined: One for the Downtown Core area from 111 to San
Gorgonia, one for the neighborhood edge area from San Gorgonio to Fred Waring, and
one for the civic district north of Fred Waring.
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Figure 10.5 Major Streetscapes & Public Frontages
0’600’1200’
.25 mi.
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A
Highway 111
Existing Conditions
The Palm Desert City Center segment of 111 is approximately one mile in length and
consists of three vehicular lanes in each direction separated by a planted, center
median. It has an average curb-to-curb width of 100 feet and multiple turn pockets at
key intersections. There is little shading from sparsely planted palm trees, and there are
currently no pedestrian or bicycle facilities for the majority of the corridor. This segment
of 111 is a regulated 45-mph zone; however, given the travel lane widths range from 12
to 15 feet, higher speeds are likely.
Strategy for Change
111 will remain the primary corridor traveling through Palm Desert. As such, the existing
curb-to-curb width of 111 will continue to provide six travel lanes; however, travel
lane widths will be reduced to a standard 10-feet in order to moderate current traffic
speeds and provide the required width for new bicycle lanes, medians, and improved
landscaping along both sides and the center median of 111. Side access lane entrances
and exits will connect directly to 111, greatly simplifying the cross street intersections
with 111.
Future 111 with Class II Bicycle Facilities (Alt. #1)
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Table 10.1 - 111 Improvements
Project Existing
Conditions
Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 95-100’85-100’
1) If only re-striping occurs for Class II bicycle lanes, no change;
2) If Class IV cycle track is installed, reduce curb-to-curb by
approximately 10-feet (6’ Class I lane; 4’ buffered median)
B Public Frontage None No change Public frontage will be determined by Frontage Road designs.
C Vehicular Lanes
6-lanes; 3 ea.
way
(12-15’ lanes)
6-lanes; 3 ea. way
(10-11’ lanes)Re-stripe all Highway 111 travel lanes .
D Medians
25’
(center median)No change Landscape existing 25-foot center medians the full length of 111 with a
double-row of palm trees.
5-18’
(side median)No change
Alternative 1) If only re-striping occurs for Class II bicycle lanes, plant
single-row of palms in Frontage Road median;
Alternative 2) If Cycletrack and landscaped buffers are added, plant a
double-row of palm trees, one tree in side median and one in buffer.
E Bicycle Facilities
(2 phases)None 6’ Class II Lanes Bicycle facilities are to be completed in two phases:
1.Class II lanes (separated by paint striping only)
2.Class IV “cycle track” (fully separated by median) 16’ Class IV CycleTrack
F Bicycle Buffer None 4’May be striped or landscaped, depending on alternative.
I Landscaping Palm/shrubs Double-row Palms
All medians to be fully landscaped with drought-toleratant native plants
and a double or single-row of palm trees, depending on phasing or
financing.
Lighting None Contemporary
Lighting to match City Code and overall aesthetic appeal of the Palm
Desert City Center.
If re-striping, landscaping on center and Frontage Road medians, and relocated frontage road entries are
implemented at the same time, rather than in phases, the painted Class II bike lane phase would be skipped.
Future Highway 111 with Class I “Cycle Track” Facilities (Alt. #2)
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Existing Frontage Road Type IA
Frontage Roads- Type I
Existing Conditions
The Type 1A Frontage Road - Palm Desert Drive North between Las Palmas Avenue and
Monterey Avenue - currently has a 38-foot curb-to-curb width, with two (2) 12-foot
lanes (two-way traffic). The road has 7-foot parallel parking spaces on either side, with
an 8-foot sidewalk along the building frontages. Landscaped medians (ranging 5-18 feet)
separate the frontage road from Highway 111. Standard pole-and-arm street lights are
present along the building frontages, approximately every 150 feet.
Type I Frontage Road
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Existing Frontage Road Type II
Frontage Roads-Type II
Existing Conditions
The Type II Frontage Roads are the most prevalent type along the 111 corridor. They
occur on the north side of 111 between Portola Avenue and Larkspur Lane and between
Panorama Drive and Portola Avenue. Type II roads occur on the south side of 111
between Highway 74 and Lupine Lane, between Larkspur Lane and Portola Avenue, and
the eastern end of El Paseo. Along the north side of Highway 111, the Type II roads have
an average curb-to-curb width of between 35 and 40 feet, while along the south side
the average width is around 30 feet. Type II roads consist of a single one-way travel lane
with diagonal parking on the Highway 111 side of the road, separated from Highway 111
by an approximatively 10-foot wide landscaped median. Sidewalks vary in width from 7
to 15 feet. Standard pole-and-arm street lights are present along the building frontages,
approximately every 200 feet.
Type II Frontage Road
Frontage Roads- Type III
Existing Conditions
The only Type III Frontage Road within the 111 corridor occurs on Palm Desert Drive
North between San Carlos Avenue and Las Palmas Avenue, connecting through San
Pablo Avenue.
The Type III Frontage Road has a curb-to-curb width of 56 feet and consists of a 22
foot wide drive aisle flanked by diagonal on both sides. A sidewalk lines the building
edge and varies in width from 7 to 15 feet. A landscaped berm, varying widths from
10 to 16 feet, separates the frontage roads from Highway 111. Standard pole-and-arm
street lights, spaced approximately 200 to 300 feet apart, are present along the building
frontages.
Existing Frontage Road Type III
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Type III Frontage Road
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Strategy for Change
Depending on the existing curb-to-curb width, the types and intensities of adjacent uses, and the
underlying zoning, the various frontage roads can be transformed to side access lanes, as shown in
below Table 2.3 and as illustrated on the pages 156 - 159.
The Type I frontage roads are converted from a two-lane, two-way road to a single one-way side
access lane, with the building side of the road treated in one of two alternative ways. Alternative A
retains the existing curbs, keeps the parallel parking on the building side, and converts the parallel
parking on the Highway 111 side to 45 degree diagonal parking. Street trees are introduced between
every four diagonal parking spaces and between every two parallel parking spaces. Alternative
B reduces the curb-to-curb width to provide wider sidewalks, providing diagonal parking just on
the Highway 111 side with new street trees as in Alternative A. The new, wider sidewalks will
accommodate street trees, street furniture and pedestrian-scaled light fixtures.
The Type II frontage roads retain their one-lane, one-way configuration as well as the angled
parking on the Highway 111 side of the road. Roadways with 38 - 40 ft. curb-to-curb widths can be
transformed in the same manner as the Type I road described above (introducing parallel parking
along the building side or widening the sidewalk). The configuration of roadways with 35 - 38 ft.
curb to curb widths are recommended to be kept as is, with diagonal parking along the Highway 111
side only, but potentially at 60 degrees to increase parking counts. Or, parallel parking along the
building side could be instrocuced if the angle of the diagonal parking is very shallow, perhaps 30
degrees. Roadways with 30-32 ft. curb to curb dimensions keep their existing configuration, with 45
degree diagonal parking along Highway the 111 side only.
Per Alternative C, Type I and Type II frontage roads - with existing or future curb to curb widths of 30
to 32 feet - can be configured for a single, one-way lane with parallel parking along both sides. This
would be most suitable for blocks with significant amounts of ground floor residential frontages.
The Type III frontage roads are transformed to Alternative D side access lanes, retaining their current
configuration of one-way traffic with diagonal parking along both sides. The curb to curb width is
reduced to slow traffic and to accommodate a wider sidewalks and double-row of street trees along
building frontages. The wider sidewalks will accommodate, pedestrian-scaled light standards, street
furniture and bicycle racks. Palm trees are introduced bewteen every fourth diagonal parking space.
In all these alternatives, the on-street parking stalls will count towards the required off-street parking
requirements for development that occurs on the adjacent parcels.
Table 10.2 - Frontage Road Improvement Alternatives
Existing
Frontage Road
Type
Curb-to-Curb
Width
Future Side Access Lane Alternative
Alternative A
(Angled Parking One
Side / Parallel Other)
Alternative B
(Angled One Side Only)
Alternative C (Parallel
Both Sides)
Alternative D
(Angled Both Sides)
Type I 38 - 40 ft.Yes Yes Yes, with widened
sidewalk
Type II 38 - 40 ft.Yes Yes Yes, with widened
sidewalk
Type II 35 - 38 ft.Yes, but not preferred Yes Yes, with widened
sidewalk
Type II 30 - 32 ft.Yes Yes, with widened
sidewalk
Type III 50 - 56 ft.Yes
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Side Access Lane Alternative A
Table 10.3 - Alternative A Side Access Lane Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 30-40'30’-40'Maintain or reduce to allow one travel lane, wide sidewalk, and
diagonal parking
B Public Frontage 8’8-16’Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 2 lanes
(two-way)
1 lane
(one-way)Reduce to (1) one-way travel lane, no more than12-feet wide
D Median 9-14’ Median No Change Maintain existing width with added landscaping on 111
E Bicycle Facilities None Bicycle Racks Bicycle racks to be added at regular intervals on sidewalk
G Parking Facilities Diagonal (1 side)
or Parallel (2 sides)Diagonal (1 side) Diagonal parking and tree breaks to be added adjacent to Highway-111
H Sidewalk 8’8-16’ Widened sidewalks for pedestrian safety, comfort, and aesthetics
I Landscaping None Parking Tree Wells
and Sidewalk Trees
1) Street trees added to sidewalk approximately every 40 feet;
2) Palm trees added in between diagonal parking (G) to create double-
row of palm trees with Highway 111 median trees (D)2
Lighting Std. Pole-and-arm Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures added
Palm trees added to diagonal parking (G) may be phased to occur after 111 Frontage Road median trees (D) are added.
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Side Access Lane Alternative B
Table 10.4 - Alternative B Side Access Lane Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 35-40'No change Maintain existing curb-to-curb widths
B Public Frontage 8’No change Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 2 lanes
(two-way)
1 lane
(one-way)Reduce to (1) one-way travel lane,10-feet wide
D Median 9-14’ Median No change Maintain existing width with added landscaping on 111
E Bicycle Facilities None Bicycle Racks Bicycle racks to be added at regular intervals on sidewalk
G Parking Facilities Diagonal (1 side)
or Parallel (2 sides)Diagonal / Parallel 1) Add diagonal parking and tree breaks next to111;
2) Add parallel parking and tree wells along building frontages
H Sidewalk 8’No change Sidewalk widths will be maintained
I Landscaping None Parking Tree Wells
and Sidewalk Trees
1) Street trees added to sidewalk approximately every 40 feet;
2) Palm trees added in between diagonal parking (G) to create double-
row of palm trees with Highway 111 median trees (D) 3
Lighting Std. Pole-and-arm Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures added
Palm trees added to diagonal parking (G) may be phased to occur after 111 Frontage Road median trees (D) are added.
H I C GG D
AB
Private Development & Frontage
Side Access Lane - Alternative C
Table 10.5 - Alternative C Side Access Lane Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 30' - 40’30’Reduce to allow for two rows of parallel parking, expanded sidewalks,
and extended public frontages
B Public Frontage 6-8'8-17’Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes
2 lanes (two-way)
or 1 lane (one-
way)
1 lane (one-way) Reduce to 12-feet wide, maintain one-way
D Median/Berm 8-14’No change Maintain existing width with added landscaping on 111
E Bicycle Facilities None Bicycle Racks Bicycle racks to be added at regular intervals on sidewalk
G Parking Facilities Diagonal (1 side)
or Parallel (2 sides)
Two rows of
Parallel Parking
Two rows of parallel will be added on both sides of the new travel
lane. Tree wells will be incorporated every three spaces (or as
determined by the City engineer).
H Sidewalk 6-8’18’Widened sidewalks for pedestrian safety and aesthetics
I Landscaping Landscaped
median
Parking Tree Wells
and Sidewalk Trees
1) Street trees added to sidewalk at adequate intervals;
2) Palm trees added to tree wells in between parallel parking (G) on
along building frontages;
3) Street trees added to tree wells in between parallel parking (G) on
along Highway 111 side.
Lighting Std. Pole-and-arm Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures
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Table 10.6 - Alternative D Side Access Lane Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 56’50’ Reduce to allow for expanded sidewalks, and public frontages
B Public Frontage 7-15’20-23’Street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at regular
intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 22’ (one-way) 18’ (one-way) Reduce to 18-feet wide, maintain one-way
D Median 10-16’No change Maintain existing width with added landscaping on 111
E Bicycle Facilities None Bicycle Racks Bicycle racks to be added at regular intervals on sidewalk
G Parking Facilities Diagonal Diagonal Add diagonal parking with tree breaks to each side of travel lane
H Sidewalk 7-15’14-20’ Widened sidewalks for pedestrian safety and aesthetics
I Landscaping Landscaped
median
Parking Tree Wells
and Sidewalk Trees
1) Street trees added to sidewalk approximately every 40 feet;
2) Palm trees added in between diagonal parking (G) on side adjacent
to buildings
3) Palm trees added in between diagonal parking (G) to create double-
row of palm trees with 111 median trees (D) 4
Lighting Std. Pole-and-arm Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures
Palm trees added to diagonal parking (G) may be phased to occur after 111 Frontage Road median trees (D) are added.
Side Access Lane - Alternative D
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Existing San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core
San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core
Existing Conditions
Currently, this segment of San Pablo has a curb-to-curb width of 106 feet and includes:
4 vehicular travel lanes with turn pockets, a 6-foot Class II bicycle lane on each side, and
diagonal parking on each side. A 5-foot center median divides the north and south lanes.
Existing sidewalks range in width from 16 to 18 feet with one-story buildings on both
sides. Landscaping consists of single palm trees planted every 25 to 30 feet. There are no
street lights along this stretch of San Pablo Avenue.
Strategy for Change
In Alternative #1, San Pablo Avenue’s median is widened to approximately 20 feet to
serve as a passive open space with a double row of large street trees shading the space
below. Additional street trees are planted in new tree wells along new parallel parking
and reconfigured “back-in diagonal” spaces in order to slow traffic and create a truly
bicycle and pedestrian-oriented street.
Finally, San Pablo Avenue will be rezoned to allow for 3 and 4-story buildings overlooking
this new pedestrian street. All of these combined strategies will not only beautify the
Palm Desert, but they invite further investment and activity throughout the City Center.
San Pablo Avenue South
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Future San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core | Alternative #1
Table 10.7 - San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core - Alternative #1 Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 106-108’ No change Maintain existing curb-to-curb widths
B Public Frontage 16-18’ No change
Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 4 lanes (two-way) 2 lanes (two-way)
Reduce to two 10-foot travel lanes to allow for widened median and
added parallel parking
D Median/Berm 5’ median 15-20’ median
Widen central median with enhanced landscaping, shading, and the
opportunity to serve as passive open space
E Bicycle Facilities Class II Lanes No change Maintain existing bicycle lanes and striping
G Parking Facilities Diagonal
(north/south side)
Diagonal “Back-in”
/ Parallel Spaces
Diagonal stalls may be reoriented as back-in stalls to provide further
safety for cyclists.
H Sidewalk 16-18’ No change Sidewalk widths will be maintained
I Landscaping Single-row
Palm Trees
Parking Tree
Wells, Median
Trees,
and Sidewalk
Trees
1) Large palms will line the sidewalk
2) Smaller street trees in in-street tree wells between every third
diagonal parking space;
3) Double-row of street trees added to landscaped median
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Future San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core | Alternative #2A
San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core
Strategy for Change (#2A)
Expanding from Alternative 1 above, Alternative 2A reorients diagonal parking to be
parallel parking on both sides of San Pablo Ave. In turn, this will allow for a wider
median that can function as an active public open space. This new open space will be
wide enough for the City to consider adding recreational facilities, such as a gazebo or a
pavilion and/or public use programming to the center median, while achieving slower
vehicular traffic and intensified developments on both sides of San Pablo.
Strategy for Change (#2B)
Alternative 2B retains many of the aforementioned improvements with the
reconfiguration of bicycle lanes to have a striped buffer from vehicular traffic.
Implementation and phasing for San Pablo Avenue is recommended to follow the redevelopment of 111 as discussed in Section 1.4.
San Pablo Avenue South
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Future San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core | Alternative #2B
Table 10.8 - San Pablo Avenue - Downtown Core - Alternative #2 Improvements
Existing Conditions Alt #2A Alt #2B Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 106-108’ No change No Change Maintain existing curb-to-curb widths
B Public Frontage 16-18’15-20’ 15-20’
Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and
shading at regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 4 lanes (two-way)
2 lanes
(two-way)
2 lanes
(two-way)
Reduce to two 10-foot travel lanes to allow for widened
median and added parallel parking
D Median/Berm 5’30-40’ 30-40’
Widen central median with enhanced landscaping,
shading, and the opportunity to serve as active open
space.
E Bicycle Facilities Class II Lanes Class II Lanes
Class I Lanes
Cycle Track
2A) Maintain existing bicycle lanes and striping
2B) Reconfigure bicycle lanes next to sidewalk with buffer
F Bicycle Buffer None None 2-4’2A) None
2B) May be striping or landscape buffer
G Parking Facilities Diagonal
(2 sides)
Parallel
(2 sides)2A Parallel stalls to replace existing diagonal parking
H Sidewalk 16-18’ No change No change Sidewalk widths will be maintained
I Landscaping Single-row
Palm Trees
Parking Tree
Wells, Median
Trees,
and Sidewalk
Trees
2A
1) Large palms will line the sidewalk
2) Smaller street trees in in-street tree wells between
every third diagonal parking space;
3) Double-row of street trees added to landscaped
median
Lighting None Contemporary 2A Decorative light poles/fixtures
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Existing San Pablo Avenue - Neighborhood South
San Pablo Avenue - Neighborhood South
Existing Conditions
North of the City’s proposed roundabout at San Gorgonio Way, the existing San Pablo
Avenue is the central link between Palm Desert’s Civic Center and City Center. Various
residential communities line San Pablo at this point with some existing open space
features, including community gardens from Royal Palm Drive to Santa Rosa Way.
Despite this area being intended to be more residential, it hosts a 4-lane (two-way)
thoroughfair with a central turning lane. Landscaping and public amenities are sparse,
but this area presents numerous excellent opportunities.
Strategy for Change
The City’s improvement strategy includes combining the existing Class II bicycle lanes
into a bufferd Class I two-way cycle track adjacent to the community gardens. Vehicular
lanes will be consolidated into a two-lane throughway with 10-foot lanes. The existing
turning lane will be removed, allowing for parallel parking and tree wells to be installed
along the east side of San Pablo Ave. Public amenities upgrades will include public
structures that compliment the community gardens and transform the west side of the
street into a passive/active open space. Street trees will also line both sides of the street
and the median buffer to provide adequate shade for pedestrians and cyclists.
San Pablo Avenue North
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E C IICommunity Gardens F GH
Future San Pablo Avenue - Neighborhood South
Table 10.9 - San Pablo Avenue - Neighborhood South Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 62’50’ Reduce curb-to-curb widths to allow for Class I bicycle lanes and buffer
B Public Frontage 15-16’20-25’Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 4 lanes (two-way);
Center Turn Lane
2 lanes
(two-way)
Reduce to two 10-foot travel lanes to allow for widened median and
added parallel parking along one side
D Median/Berm None 6’ Median will serve to buffer bicycles and pedestrians from traffic
E Bicycle Facilities Class II Lanes Class I Lanes
1) Install two-way Class I cycle track next to sidewalk with buffer;
2) Bicycle racks and other support facilities will be installed in regular
increments on both sides of the street
F Bicycle Buffer None 6’ Median will serve as adequate buffer from traffic
G Parking Facilities None
Parallel
(1 side)Parallel stalls added on east side of street
H Sidewalk 7-8’15-20’Sidewalk widths will be maintained and better incorporated into overall
streetscape and public frontage features
I Landscaping Occasional
Palm Tree Street Trees
1) Double-row of street trees span sidewalk and bicycle median buffer;
2) Street tree wells provided between every 2-3 parallel parking stalls;
3) Existing community gardens incoporated in overall streetscape
Lighting None Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures
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A B
IC I
Existing San Pablo Avenue - Civic Center
San Pablo Avenue - Civic Center
Existing Conditions
North of Fred Warring Drive, San Pablo Avenue passes to the east of a golf driving
range and the College of the Desert campus and to the west of City Hall and Civic
Center Park, terminating at Magnesia Falls Drive. The vacant edge of the College of the
Desert campus offers an opportunity to introduce housing along the west side of San
Pablo Avenue. This portion of San Pablo Avenue is comprised of a 4-lane (two-way)
thoroughfair with a central turning lane.
Strategy for Change
The improvement strategy for this portion of San Pablo Drive includes consolidating the
vehicular lanes into a two-lane throughway with 10-foot lanes and introducing a bufferd
Class I two-way cycle track adjacent to the driving range and the campus. The existing
turning lane will be removed, allowing for parallel parking and tree wells to be installed
along the west side of San Pablo Avenue and diagonal parking separated by palm trees
along the east side of the street. Street trees will also line both sides of the street and
the median buffer to provide adequate shade for pedestrians and cyclists.
San Pablo Avenue North
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A BB
E C IIFGH
Future San Pablo Avenue - Civic Center
Table 10.10 - San Pablo Avenue - Civic Center Improvements
Existing Conditions Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 76’50’ Reduce curb-to-curb widths to allow for Class I bicycle lanes and buffer
B Public Frontage 20’20-25’Introduce street trees, furniture, decorative lighting, and shading at
regular intervals
C Vehicular Lanes 4 lanes (two-way);
Center Turn Lane
2 lanes
(two-way)
Reduce to two 10-foot travel lanes to allow for widened median and
added parallel parking along one side
D Median/Berm None 6’ Median will serve to buffer bicycles and pedestrians from traffic
E Bicycle Facilities None Class I Lanes
1) Install two-way Class I cycle track next to sidewalk with buffer;
2) Bicycle racks and other support facilities will be installed in regular
increments on both sides of the street
F Bicycle Buffer None 6’ Median will serve as adequate buffer from traffic
G Parking Facilities None
Parallel
(west side) /
diagonal (east
side)
Parallel stalls added on east side of street
H Sidewalk 7-8’7-8’Sidewalk widths will be maintained and better incorporated into overall
streetscape and public frontage features
I Landscaping Occasional
Palm Tree Street Trees
1) Double-row of street trees span sidewalk and bicycle median buffer;
2) Street tree wells provided between every 2-3 parallel parking stalls;
3) Existing community gardens incoporated in overall streetscape
Lighting None Contemporary Decorative light poles/fixtures
G I
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H
AB
CI
Lane - with Residential Ground Floor
B
Lane
Design Strategy
Lanes are provided between parking lots or parking structures located at the center
of the block and residential, commercial, or mixed-use development located at the
perimeter of the block. Lanes are two lane, two-way roads that provide a pedestrian
walk or sidewalk along the building side and landscaping along the parking lot/garage
side. Buildings with commercial ground floors may be located right behind the walkway
or sidewalk, whereas buildings with residential ground floors are setback behind
landscaping. Frequent crosswalks provide pedestrian access between the garage and
the buildings. Crosswalks are align with paseos that provide access between the parking
located at the center of the block and the street.
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Table 10.11 - San Pablo Avenue North Improvements
Future
Development Notes
A Curb-to-Curb 20’
B Public Frontage 5’ min. Walk or sidewalk along building side; landscpaing along garage side.
C Vehicular Lanes 2 lanes (two-way) Two 10-foot travel lanes.
E Bicycle Facilities Optional Bike racks may be provided
G Parking Facilities None
H Sidewalk 5’ min.
Walk or sidewalk along building side. Walks located at street level
should be paved with materials that are different color, texture, or
materials than roadway.
I Landscaping 5' min.Trees and drought-tolerant landscpaing.
Lighting None Lighting provided on building and or garage
Lane - with Commercial Ground Floor
H
A
C
BB
I
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Type A: Type B: Type C: Type D:
Palm Desert Gateways
Design Strategy
The purpose of Gateways within the 111 Corridor planning area is to reinforce the
experience of “entry/arrival” into changed and new environments, as one passes
through the various “parts” of Palm Desert. The overarching goal of the 111 Corridor
Plan is to convert the 111 Corridor into a “zipper” that supports, ties together, and
establishes connectivity between the very successful El Paseo downtown core and south
neighborhoods, and the San Pablo Neighborhood Center, Civic Center, neighborhoods
and resorts, north of 111. The various types of gateways described in this section are
intended to compliment the streetscape transformation described on pg. 132, and
generally define the extents or boundaries of each unique place/environment within the
City Center “Core” of the 111 Corridor. While each gateway type has a unique function
and design, each gateway is intended to contribute to a unified design experience/
environment of the “Core” of the 111 Corridor.
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Gateway Types
The following pages describe implementation guidelines for a
variety of “gateway types” within the 111 Corridor Planning Area.
They can generally be summarized into the following types, as
indicated below:
Type A. Corner Gateways at Major Cross-Streets:
In general, all major cross streets along 111 are marked by clusters
of palm trees that add verticality along 111 and create “pedestrian
oases” - areas of shade and refuge - marking crossing points along
111.
Type B. 111 City Center “Core” Gateways:
These gateways reinforce entry/arrival into the City Center “Core”
area of 111, and can double-function as new, specialized pedestrian
crossings enhancing connectivity and circulation north and south of
111.
Type C. El Paseo Shopping District Gateways:
Special gateway signage on El Paseo - generally denoting the
eastern and western extents of the shopping district, in addition
to a gateway on San Pablo Ave, just south of (but visible from) 111
announcing entry into the El Paseo District.
Type D. San Pablo “Main Street” Gateways:
The southern portion of San Pablo Ave - generally from 111 to San
Gorgonio Way is being reconceived of as a neighborhood center
/ main street environment. As such, streetscape interventions -
a roundabout at San Gorgonio Way and a combination of palm
clusters and a new landscaped median, creates the north and south
gateways of this important neighborhood center.
Type A Corner Gateways at Major Cross Streets
Type B City Center “Core” Gateways
Type D San Pablo “Main Street” Gateways
Type C “El Paseo Shopping District” Gateways
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Gateway Type A - Corner Gateways at Major
Cross Streets
Design Strategy
The figure below indicates the proposed locations of “Type A “gateways -- should be
prioritized at all major cross-streets within the City Center “Core” area of the 111
Corridor - the west and east-most cross-streets where these gateways are provided
being HWY 74/Monterey Ave, and Cabrillo Ave/El Paseo respectively - though these
gateways may be utilized at any significant crossing along the 111 Corridor within Palm
Desert as funding permits.
Relocating access to the 111 frontage roads from the cross streets to 111 provides the
dual benefit of improved frontage road functionality, in addition to providing new corner
“plazas” along 111 at most intersections. These plazas provide new opportunities for
significant planting and gateway design, and their ultimate design should:
A. Use vertical elements to identify all major crossings:
Clusters of 6-9 Washingtonia Palm Trees are proposed at each corner of all major cross-
streets along 111, spaced approximately 10-15’ on center in a geometric / grid pattern
complimentary to the overall plaza design. Tree height should be a minimum of 20’ at
planting. Additional or supplemental vertical elements may be used provided they are
complementary to the overall plaza design.
B. Provide shade during the day and lighting at night:
Palm trees should be spaced approximately 10-15’ on center to create a shade canopy
(and refuge)for corner plazas during hot daytime hours. Additional shade structures
may be incorporated into the plaza provided they are complementary to the overall
design. Palms should be uplit with LED fixtures integrated into the ground plane of the
plaza. Colored lighting as well as light projection are encouraged provided they are part
of a unified lighting plan for the 111 Corridor as a whole.
C. Optionally incorporate additional gateway/wayfinding signage:
Corner plazas may optionally incorporate additional gateway /wayfinding signage -- in
particular as they relate to the El Paseo Shopping District, and the San Pablo Main Street
District, provided they are complementary to the overall plaza design, and consistent
with gateway and wayfinding signage within the City Center “Core” of 111.
Example of a cluster of palm trees, similar in size and spacing as proposed design for Type A gateway
intersections.
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Illustrative plan of a typical corner plaza gateway at
cross-street along 111.
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Type B.1: Type B.2:
Example of a pedestrian crossing gateway across 111 in conjunction with new infill development to the north and south of 111.
Gateway Type B - 111 City Center “Core”
Gateways
Design Strategy
This gateway type is used to reinforce arrival/entry into the City Center “Core” of the
111 Corridor, with design consistency of the east- and west-most gateways emphasized,
and design flexibility of any potential additional crossings in between. This gateway type
should follow or accompany (not precede) - improvements to the public realm and/
or new private development at “gateway nodes,” as they are intended to announce/
reinforce a transformed environment, not function as standalone elements.
These gateways can also double-function as new, specialized pedestrian/bicyclist
crossings for 111, alerting motorists to the potential of pedestrians and bicyclists in the
crossing zones. New pedestrian crossings are proposed at two key locations along 111 --
namely one at the intersection of Sage Lane and 111 and another at the intersection of
Lupine Lane and 111. Additional mid-block pedestrian crossings could also be provided
in the future to improve non-motorist circulation across 111, as funding permits. Each
crossing, whether newly constructed or modified over time should:
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Type B.1: Illustration of a spanning gateway element recommended for the east and west extents of the City Center Core of the 111 Corridor.
Type B.2: Illustration of a non-spanning gateway element recommended for enhanced pedestrian/bicyclist crossing zones within the City Center Core of the 111 Corridor.
Design inspriration for the mosaic columns illustrated in Type B.2 comes from the mosaic columns at Monterey and Gerald Ford Drive.
A. Reinforce entry/access into City Center “Core” from
111:
This gateway type should be utilized strategically to reinforce arrival
into the City Center “Core” of Palm Desert for motorists travelling on
111. “Spanning” gateway elements, such as the gateway illustrated
in Type B.1 reinforce “arrival” into a new place or environment, and
are recommended at the east and west extents of the City Center
“Core”. Any future crossings added within the Core should use
non-spaning vertical elements, such as columns, specialized lighting,
landscaping, etc.
B. Include City branding/messaging through a uni-
fied design:
Each gateway should communicate “Palm Desert” either literally or
through a unified design theme of color, material, landscape, lighting,
and messaging consistency along the corridor. Each gateway should
be designed using a “desert palette” of materials, including Corten
steel, glass mosaic, concrete (board-formed concrete encouraged for
column bases) metal cables, and recommended landscape materials
on pg. 132.
C. Alert motorists to specialized pedestrian crossing
zones:
Any future mid-block pedestrian crossings should visually “narrow”
111, and alert motorists to the potential of pedestrians and/or bicy-
clists within the crossing zone. Type B.2 illustrates the use of vertical
columns to visually mark a specialized crossing zone. Crossing signals,
signage, landscape (including Palms, or other vertical elements), en-
hanced paving and/or ground surface lighting is recommended, and
should be incorporated into the overall gateway design.
D. Reinforce connection between the north and
south sides of 111:
Particularly important for potential new pedestrian/bicyclist cross-
ing zones and within the City Center “Core” of 111, these gateways
should visually reinforce the importance of circulation across 111 -
transforming 111 into the “zipper” that ties the City Center together.
E. Provide Mid-Crossing Refuge for pedestrians and
bicyclists:
Because of the very large width of 111, center medians of 111
at these enhanced pedestrian/bicyclist crossings should provide
mid-crossing refuges for safer, more comfortable crossing of 111.
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Gateway Type B - 111 City Center “Core” Gateways (continued)
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The illustrations above describe a series of design alternatives
for gateways spanning and crossing 111 while communicating/
reinforcing entry/arrival into the City Center Core. The top-left
illustration shows a potential pedestrian overcrossing that
could be utilized if at-grade crossings were deemed to be
infeasible with circulation requirements along 111.
Phototransformation illustrating a new pedestrian crossing, gateway columns, and streetscape improvements along 111.
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Conceptual gateway signage on San Pablo Ave (just south of 111) for the El Paseo Shopping District.
Type B.1: Type B.2:
Gateway Type C - El Paseo Shopping District
Gateways
Design Strategy
Map below indicates suggested locations of Type C - “El Paseo Shopping
District”gateways. El Paseo has to date, been considered the “downtown” of Palm
Desert -- and has, experienced tremendous success, despite its lack of visibility/
exposure along 111. This plan descibes strategies for creating a unified City Center
“Core” -- centered around San Pablo Ave, 111, and El Paseo - establishing strong
connections - visual, functional, and circulation-wise, between all three - as well as with
the civic center and neighborhoods to the north -- to add value to the already successful
downtown. This City Center “Core” will have multiple “Centers”, each with their own
unique environement, with the El Paseo Shopping District being a very important one of
those.
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Type C.1: Illustration of a spanning gateway element commissioned by the City of Palm Desert for San Pablo Ave. Similar gateways could be used on El Paseo at the east and west extents of the Shopping District.
Special gateways are recommended to reinforce arrival/entry
into the El Paseo Shopping District as a unique place within
the City Center “Core” and add visual exposure from 111. The
City of Palm Desert, concurrent with the 111-Corridor Plan, has
commissioned conceptual design of a gateway, wayfinding, and
branding signage package for the District.
The City’s initial study included a new gateway on San Pablo
Ave, just south of 111, and this plan recommends additional
gateways of some form at generally the west- and east- extents
of the shopping district on El Paseo - as indicated pg. 128 It is
recommended that the final design and location of any new
gateway on San Pablo Ave, be completed in conjunction with (or
following) new infill development at the corner(s) of San Pablo
and 111. While design and location will be subject to change,
their ultimate design should:
A. Reinforce entry/arrival into the El Paseo Shop-
ping District:
This gateway type should be utilized strategically to generally
define the extents of the El Paseo Shopping District as a part of
the larger City Center “Core” of Palm Desert. Major “spanning”
gateways (See Type C.1)would be appriate on San Pablo Ave,
and on El Paseo proper - generally at the east and west extents
of the Shopping District (just east of HWY 74, and just west of
San Luis Rey, respectively) - additional minor gateways (See Type
C.2) could be used on additional “minor” streets connecting to El
Paseo within the Shopping District.
B. Include City Branding/Messaging through a
unified design:
Each gateway should communicate “Palm Desert” - either literal-
ly or through a unified design theme of color, material, land-
scape, lighting, and messaging consistency within the El Paseo
Shopping District. Each gateway should be designed using a “de-
sert palette” of materials, including Corten steel, glass mosaic,
concrete (board-formed concrete encouraged for column bases)
metal cables, and landscape materials recommended on pg. 132
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Gateway Type D - San Pablo Main Street
Design Strategy
At the heart of the City Center Core of Palm Desert is a recast vision for an enriched
main street environment on San Pablo Ave, from San Gorgonio Way to 111,
incorporating a new dining plaza in the center of an enlarged center median, improved
(and additional) on-street parking, and improved bicycle facilities that connect into
a new cycle track north of San Gorgonio Way. To frame this new environment -- for
motorists travelling south on San Pablo Ave, and those traveling on 111, two unique
gateways are proposed.
Illustration of the new “Main Street” environment envisioned for San Pablo Ave.
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Illustrative Plan of San Pablo “Main Street” with north and south gateways -- a new roundabout at San Pablo Ave & San Gorgonio Way, and new corner plazas at the north corners of the intersection of San Pablo Ave and 111.
Potential Detour Route for Special Events
A. Intersection of 111 and San Pablo Ave:
Similar to the “Type A” gateways previously described, the south
gateway of the San Pablo “Main Street” shall be articulated by
clusters of 9-16 Palms arranged in a geometric/grid pattern. The
center median of San Pablo Ave should be planted with addition-
al palms using the same planting pattern, tree size, etc. as the
corner plazas. While its ultimate plaza design will require further
study, based on the final geometry of the access lanes for the
frontage roads to the east and west, its design features should
include:1.All palms should be uplit, with fixtures affixed to their
trunks.
2.Lights and/or gateway signage may be spanned across
San Pablo Ave (similar to Gateway Types B&C) and
should announce entry/arrival into a new main street
environment.
3.Corner plazas should provide adequate shade during the
daytime, and lighting during the evening to make them
comfortable places of pedestrian refuge.
4.Public art, lighting, enhanced paving materials,
landscape, etc. are encouraged and should be part of a
unified streetscape design for San Pablo Ave.
B. New roundabout at San Gorgonio Way:
While adding improved circulation and safety to the intersection
of San Pablo Ave and San Gorgonio Way, the proposed round-
about double-functions as a new gateway, particularly as San
Pablo transitions from a free-flowing neighborhood street to an
urban main street in the heart of Palm Desert’s City Center.
While its ultimate geometry and design will require further
study, its design features should include:1.A grid of 9-16 Palms, spaced/arranged, and lit consistently
with the median/corner plazas of the corner of 111 and
San Pablo Ave.
2.Public art and lighting within the roundabout is
encouraged and should announce entry/arrival into San
Pablo “Main Street”
3.Care should be taken to ensure that all design elements
placed within the roundabout do not adversely effect
visibility.
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Centralized Parking Strategy
Existing Conditions
As Palm Desert’s 111 Corridor matures from its early form – as an old highway next to
a fine retail street – to a more complete, more intense, more diverse City Center, it will
be vitally important that its parking supply evolve to support that growth and change.
Current parking arrangements are simple – most of the parking for all the businesses is
provided in the large, shared Presidents’ Plaza lots within the large blocks between 111
and El Paseo, on-street parking along those two main streets and cross streets provides
additional convenient customer parking in front of businesses, and some businesses
have their own dedicated parking lots. All the parking is free and there is generally
plenty of it, although at times the empty parking spaces are some distance from the
busiest businesses.
Park Once Strategy
As new, multi-story buildings begin to replace existing one-story buildings, as new
businesses are added to the City Center mix, and as housing is introduced to the City
Center to generate a more 18-hour mixed-use environment, it is clear that existing
parking resources must be – and can be – more efficiently managed and utilized, and
it is clear that at some point more parking will be required. The central concept that
will organize all of the strategies and techniques for ensuring a parking supply that will
support the City Center transformation will be “Park Once.”
A successful city center is a place where customers, visitors and residents easily move
from shop to shop, from work to lunch, from home to dinner on foot. Most visitors
and shoppers arrive in the district by car, they easily find a safe parking space, and then
park their car while they go about their business for an extended period of time. This
is very different from the way in which one patronizes a typical shopping center or strip
mall – where one drives up very close to a store, patronizes the store, gets back in the
car, and drives to the next store. And for this different City Center form of development,
different parking arrangements are required.
Parking as a utility:
Individual projects and buildings in cities are not expected to provide their own power,
water and sewer, they connect to the system provided by the community. Rural
buildings often must have their own well and septic system, and suburban buildings
must have their own parking lots. But in the City Center, where the focus is on
concentrating larger amounts of more activities into a smaller area, more efficient ways
of delivering parking services are required. Key elements of the Park Once strategy
include:
Focus on the pedestrian:
As described on pg. 132, the streetscapes and other public spaces of the City Center will
be increasingly comfortable and attractive to pedestrians, with wide, shady sidewalks
passing interesting and useful businesses and residences. This will increase the average
length of stay for customers and visitors – which should improve the economic perfor-
mance of the City Center, and will reduce the importance for many users of finding a
parking space right next to their first target destination. This in turn will help to even
out the “hot spots” where everyone wants to park and fill in the “cold spots” where lots
have often stayed underutilized.
Typical commercial-retail frontage with on-grade parallel parking and additional parking behind.
Access alley between parking garage and pedestrian retail district.
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Parking types for user types:
Within a more diverse City Center, several distinct types of “parking users” must be rec-
ognized and accommodated. These include the shopper in a hurry, the tourist spending
the day, the couple going to dinner and a movie, the office worker, and the resident
coming home at night. The shopper in a hurry wants a space close to the store they are
going to and is willing to pay for convenience, so on-street parking with a cost attached
may work just fine. Other user types are willing to walk a bit more. The parking supply
planned for Palm Desert’s City Center includes a large number of well-organized on-
street parking along newly beautified streets, shared public parking in existing lots with
improved landscaping and wayfinding, and future shared parking structures in some of
the Presidents’ Plaza lots with convenient, beautiful paseos connecting them to El Paseo
and 111.
Wayfinding:
In any City Center it is very important that parking be easy to find for those arriving from
outside the district. This is doubly true for a City Center where a high percentage of the
visitors are from out of the area and may be visiting for the first time. From both 111
and El Paseo, entry points to shared lots and future parking structures must be clearly
marked, and additional electronic wayfinding – in the form of apps that provide real
time parking availability information and GPS direction – will guide visitors to waiting
spaces.
Shared supply:
Parking lots or structures that are shared by many businesses and other uses can be
more efficiently utilized than parking facilities dedicated to a single business or use.
Parking areas occupied by office workers tend to be nearly empty in the evening, and
if they are near restaurants with peak customer counts in the dinner hour, each space
replaces what would be two spaces in another setting. The City Center environment
encourages shoppers to patronize multiple stores and restaurants over a multi-hour
period, whereas in another setting those same visits might have required several car
trips and hence several parking spaces. In a City Center environment, the number
of parking spaces required per 1,000 square feet of business floor area can easily be
half that required in a typical suburban shopping center. As the City Center grows and
parking structures become necessary, the cost savings in such efficient use of parking
resources mount rapidly to many millions of dollars, which can be better spent on
landscape, maintenance, and community activities and events.
Managed supply:
No matter how wonderfully walkable the City Center becomes over time, there will
always be prime parking areas and less convenient parking areas. That is where
management comes in. It makes no sense to have the store patron drive away because
the employees were parked on the street in front of the store, and it makes no sense for
the young couple with a baby sitter waiting at home to dine elsewhere because the bus
boys filled up the most convenient parking garage. Solutions to these easily identifiable
problems may include time limiting some spaces, charging a fee for some prime spaces,
and ticketing those who do not comply with regulations.
Centralized off-stree parking structure, lined with housing.
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Figure 10.6 Centralized Parking Conceptual Site Plan
Expandable parking supply:
If the City Center thrives as the community has envisioned, with more customers plus
new residents entering the mix, more parking spaces will be required. These will be
provided in new multi-level parking structures within the large blocks between 111 and
El Paseo, as illustrated in Figure 3-1 below. The City will monitor parking utilization from
year to year and plan for the construction of new facilities as the demand increases.
Parking supply as economic development tool:
Not only can shared parking arrangements deliver parking spaces more economically
than is possible on a building by building, project by project basis. Many cities have
used the provision of shared parking structures – into which individual projects pay for
the use of the parking they need – as an enticement to new investment in fine mixed-
use buildings.
Parking to accomodate EV and active transit users:
New parking facilities will, as appropriate, provide spaces with charging stations for Elec-
tric Vehicles (EV) - including golf carts as permitted by the City. Facilities should accomo-
date parking for bicycles in addition to bike racks located throughout the City Center.
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Existing Parking Yields
Surface Lot
Spaces
On-Grade
Street Sp.Total
BLOCK #1 ±375 ±100 ±475
BLOCK #2 ±265 ±30 ±295
BLOCK #3 ±425 ±30 ±475
BLOCK #4 ±420 ±180 ±600
Total ±1,485 ±340 ±1,845
Conceptual Parking Yields
Structure
Spaces/Level
Total Parking Levels
(Incl. On-Grade)
Structure
Spaces
On-Grade
Street Sp.Total
BLOCK #1 ±220 3 ±660 ±35 ±760
BLOCK #2 ±205 4 ±820 ±20 ±820
BLOCK #3 ±160 4 ±640 ±40 ±640
BLOCK #4 ±225 1 ±225 ±160 ±225
Grand Total ±2,345 ±255 ±2,600
*Note: Site plan, parking structures, and parking yield numbers are for conceptual purposes only.Final locations, designs, heights, and circulation to be approved by the City.
0’200’400’500’
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Goals & Policies
Goal 1 A vibrant, regionally significant down town centered on the 111 corridor.
1.1 Downtown. Facilitate the development of the City Center as a vibrant,
active downtown that is the civic and cultural heart of the community.
1.2 San Pablo. Prioritize the development of a local serving, Main Street envi-
ronment at San Pablo Street and 111.
1.3 El Paseo. Preserve El Paseo as a premier visitor and shopping destination.
1.4 Phasing. Prioritize public investment and private development at key
nodes, as shown in the City Center Area Plan, giving preference to invest-
ments at the intersection of San Pablo and 111.
1.5 Mix of uses. Encourage a diverse mix of use in the City Center to create a
vibrant, downtown environment and strengthen the downtown presence
for El Paseo.
1.6 Compact, infill development. Require new infill development in the City
Center to be compact in scale and flexible in design so as to maximize
the pedestrian orientation of the area and to facilitate market responsive
economic development.
1.7 Mixed-use buildings. Allow buildings to contain a wide range of uses,
giving preference to buildings with ground floor retail and upper floor
residential.
1.8 Moderate scale buildings. Moderate building heights in the City Center,
allowing taller buildings at key intersections and gateways.
1.9 Wide range of housing. Encourage a wide range of housing types in the
City Center.
1.10 Unique public realm. Encourage and facilitate streetscape and building
designs that are unique to Palm Desert so as to create a distinctive City
Center.
Goal 2. A safe, multi-modal City Center boulevard that ties the north and south sides of the downtown to-gether into one cohesive center.
2.1 Streetscape. Facilitate a comprehensive streetscape improvement effort
that helps define the street and the enhances the pedestrian experience
in a manner consistent with the concepts presented here in the City
Center Area Plan. Streetscape improvements should include tall, vertical
elements along the boulevard, shade trees over sidewalks and parking
areas, wide sidewalks, street furnishings, and pedestrian scale lighting.
2.2 Landscaping. Require new development to incorporate landscaping con-
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PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 195
sistent with the concepts presented here in the City Center Area Plan.
2.3 Lighting. Require all new street lights to be pedestrian-oriented and
scaled, attractively designed, compatible in design with other street furni-
ture, and to provide adequate visibility and security.
2.4 Frontage roads. Redesign and facilitate the realignment of the frontage
roads to take access off of 111, facilitate improved flow of traffic, and
improved access to businesses on the frontage roads.
2.5 Pedestrian focus. Design 111, San Pablo, and other significant City Center
roads to balance regional traffic flow with pedestrian movement and safe-
ty and the unique physical environment of the area.
2.6 Pedestrian access. Prioritize pedestrian access in the design of public and
private facilities within the City Center Area.
2.7 Infill. Encourage investment and infill development through the provision
of incentives such as parking programs and density bonuses.
2.8 Gateway elements. Direct new public investment into significant land-
scaping, art, signage and streetscape improvements to key intersections,
as identified by the City Center Area Plan, as a way of defining key inter-
sections within the City Center.
2.9 Shared roadways. Consider shared roadway design strategies such as
woonerfs for low volume streets such as Alessandro.
Goal 3. A vibrant district that fosters an active and interesting pedestrian environment.
3.1 Pedestrian network. Ensure that new public and private projects in the
City Center consider pedestrian connectivity and contribute to improving
the pedestrian network through the application of strategies such as side-
walk improvements and pedestrian crossings.
3.2 Development requirements. Require development projects to be urban in
character and to provide for enhanced pedestrian activity through the use
of with compact buildings sited at or near front lot lines, a high percent-
age of lot coverage, and building facades and entrances directly address-
ing the street and with a high degree of transparency.
3.3 Ground floor retail. Require the first level of building where retail uses are
allowed have a minimum 15 feet floor to floor height for non-residential
uses.
3.4 Auto-oriented uses. Prohibit uses that serve occupants of vehicles (such
as drive-through windows) and discourage uses that serve the vehicle
(such as car washes and service stations) within the City Center.
3.5 Parking frontages. Require both public and private parking lots and struc-
tures be designed so as to ensure parking areas do not dominate street
frontages and are screened from public views whenever possible.
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3.6 Parking strategy. Encourage district-scale and shared parking strategies
while discouraging new surface parking lots.
3.7 Unbundled parking. Allow and encourage developers of residential,
mixed-use and multi-tenant commercial projects to unbundle parking
costs from unit sale and rental costs in denser, mixed-use areas to give
tenants and owners the opportunity to save money by using fewer parking
spaces.
3.8 Street parking. Encourage and maintain street parking as a strategy to
provide adequate parking and create buffers for sidewalks.
3.9 Tree planting. Encourage the planting of trees that shade the sidewalk
and improves the pedestrian experience throughout the City Center.
3.10 Public gathering spaces. Direct public investment in the City Center so
as to improve existing and create new gathering spaces throughout the
City to provide beautiful, comfortable, and inviting public and pedestrian
spaces, encouraging walking and public gathering spaces.
3.11 Public plazas. Incentivize private investment to incorporate public pla-
zas, seating, and gathering places, especially in prominent locations and
areas of pedestrian activity.
3.12 Outdoor cafes. Allow for the development of outdoor plazas and dining
areas; including the use of sidewalk areas for outdoor cafes.
3.13 Artists live/work studios. Consider incentives for the inclusion of live/
work studio space in the City Center.
Goal 4. An interconnected City Center that is easily accessible by the surrounding neighbors and the City at large.
4.1 Bicycle network. Facilitate the development of bicycle facilities that
connect the City Center with surrounding neighborhoods, districts, and
centers.
4.2 Pedestrian network. Facilitate the development of pedestrian facilities
that connect the City Center with surrounding neighborhoods, districts,
and centers.
4.3 Transit. Work with Sunline to improve transit access to and within the City
Center.
4.4 City-wide connections. Develop transit, alternative transportation, and
wayfinding strategies that facilitate easy navigation to and from the City
Center, the University Area, and other important centers within Palm Des-
ert.
4.5 Traffic flow. Manage traffic flow and speeds through the use of signal
synchronization to ensure safe speeds and minimal traffic congestion at
intersections.
CHAPTER 11: HOUSING
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN | 197
11. HOUSING
The Housing Element is a stand-alone volume that is updated more
frequently than the others and is not being changed as a part of this
General Plan Update. It can be found under a separate cover.
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In many cases, implementation of the General Plan will occur incrementally as private landowners develop their land in accordance
with the General Plan. For some topics in this General Plan, the new adopted policies are sufficient to realize certain goals. However,
most goals will require additional implementation actions to help make those operational. This section identifies those additional
implementation actions.
This section is organized by type of action: physical improvement, process, program, or rule making. Each action indicates the
responsible party, priority level, potential funding source, and timeframe.
Palm Desert is a city with a clear vision of its future. The City staff and elected officials welcome and encourage community
organizations, the business community, other public agencies, neighborhood groups and passionate individuals to help implemen t
many of these actions. While, some actions are prioritized as a “supportive” instead of “critical,” that should not preclude any
partner organization or individual from making it a top priority in their own work in collaboration with the City.
An actionable description of the
implementation action. Some actions include
end-note references to supportive background
material or example projects.
dentification of the agency or department responsible
for implementing the action.
Identifies
whether the action is critical or
supportive
Identifies potential funding sources A broad timeframe that refers to when the action should be implemented.
The timeframes are as follows:
Once: A one time action with a set completion date
As Needed: Implementation contingent on other identified events, decisions,
or benchmarks
On-going: Reoccurring or immediate action
12. WORK PLAN
Following are a set of indicators that will serve to gauge our progress, as articulated in the Vision & Guiding Principles chapter of this General Plan. Following the completion of the General Plan, the City will measure each indicator to establish a
baseline for measuring success. The indicators will be evaluated on either a quantitative or qualitative basis depending on the data type and availability, with a directional goal (increase/decrease/maintain).
Topic Indicator (unit) 2040 Target
Access to health care Clinician shortage Maintain
Social engagement Extent to which residents engage with other community members Increase
Arts and entertainment Total number of performing arts venues per 10,000 Increase
Entertainment venues Creation of available spaces for live and outdoor music, community
events and festivals, a local multipurpose theater/arts center, and
creative connections and partnerships which impact the economy
through increased tourism and revenue.
Increase
Historic resources Number of Eligible and Protected Historic Resources Maintain or
Increase
Economic opportunity Jobs per person Increase
Expansion of university
campuses over the next
20 years
Student Enrollment 20,000 CSU
students by
2040
College eligibility Number of students with a-g completion (eligibility to enter the Cal
State/UCR systems)
Increase
Retail and fiscal Health Sales tax revenues Increase
Industrial/R&D vacancy Industrial vacancy rates Reduce
Transit occupancy tax Occupancy Tax 2-3% annual
growth for the
next 10 years
Percent of Employees
Living in city
Percentage of persons both living and working inside Palm Desert Increase
Jobs/housing balance Ratio of jobs to the number of employed residents Increase
Water use Per capita potable water use Decrease
Topic Indicator (unit) 2040 Target
Crime rate Combined violent and property crimes per 10,000 people Decrease
Access to parks Number of parks within a half-mile of neighborhoods Increase
Access to
neighborhood services
Residential parcels within ¼ mile of a neighborhood service such as
a restaurant, convenience store, childcare center or dry cleaner
Increase
Elementary and Middle
School Access
% of housing units within ½ mile of school Increase
Transit-oriented
development
% of housing units within ¼ mile of frequent transit Increase
Mix of uses Mix of jobs within a mile of neighborhoods Increase
Activity Density Number of jobs and people per square mile Increase at key
centers
Pedestrian network Sidewalk coverage Increase
Bicycle network Bicycle lanes Increase
Walkability Walk score Increase
Transportation balance Percent mode split for work trips Increase
Automobile
dependence
Annual per capita VMT Decrease
Traffic congestion Traffic volumes on key roadways Reduce
Travel Time Travel time for key destinations Maintain
Parking demand Parking demand at key centers Reduce
Travel safety Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions, deaths, and severe
injuries
Reduce
Access exercise
opportunities
Percentage of people who live within a half-mile of parks and
within 1 mile of recreational facilities
Increase
These implementation actions are specific physical infrastructure necessary for achieving the General Plan Vision.
San Pablo Avenue: Introduce angled parking. Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP, Assessment District Once
San Pablo Avenue: Introduce bike lane improvements Public Works Critical CDBG, Bicycle Transportation Account, Measure A, Special Fund Once
San Pablo Avenue: South of San Gorgonio Way, introduce wide median with possible additional
programming (small buildings, farmers market, etc.). Public Works Critical Development Impact Fees, State Fund Once
San Pablo Avenue: Introduce roundabout at intersection of San Pablo Avenue and San Gorgonio Way. Public Works Critical MAP-21, TUMF, City General Fund CIP, Development Impact Fee, Special Fund Once
Alessandro Alley West of San Pablo: Introduce parking and landscaping per City Center Area plan Public Works Supportive Development Impact Fees, Assessment Districts Once
City Center Area: Implement pedestrian improvements including sidewalks, crosswalks, street furniture,
and other amenities during the construction of new roadways or the reconstruction of existing roadways. Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP, State Fund, Special Fund, Grants On-going
City Center Area: Implement the proposed bicycle network by building the proposed facilities concurrent
with the construction of new roadways or the reconstruction of existing roadways. Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP, State Fund, Special Fund, Grants Periodic
El Paseo/111 Parking Improvements: Parking Structure 1 - Block between Sage Lane and Lupine Lane Public Works Supportive State Fund, Development Impact Fees, Special Funds, Assessment Districts Once
El Paseo/111 Parking Improvements: Build Parking Structure 2 - Block between Lupine Lane and San
Pablo Avenue Public Works Supportive Development Impact Fees, Assessment Districts, State Fund, Special Fund Once
El Paseo/111 Parking Improvements: Build Parking Structure 3 - Block between San Pablo Avenue and
Larkspur Lane Public Works Supportive Development Impact Fees, Assessment Districts, State Fund, Special Fund Once
El Paseo/111 Parking Improvements: Build Parking Lot between Larkspur Lane and San Luis Rey Avenue Public Works Supportive Development Impact Fees, Assessment Districts, State Fund, Special Fund Once
Highway 111: Reconfigure frontage roads so they are entered and exited directly from Highway 111
(instead of from cross streets). Introduce new landscaping in median between Highway 111 and frontage
roads.
Public Works Critical MAP-21, Federal Fund, Measure A, TUMF, Development Impact Fees, Assessment
Districts, Special Fund Once
Highway 111: Reconfigure frontage road parking with street tree planters between parking spaces on the
111 side (on-street parking counts towards required parking of adjacent development). Public Works Critical Measure A, TUMF, Development Impact Fees, Assessment Districts State Fund Once
Highway 111: Introduce new streetscape along building side of frontage roads. Public Works Critical Assessment District, State Fund Once
Highway 111: Introduce new gateway landscaping at key intersections:
a. Monterey Avenue
b. San Pablo Avenue
c. San Luis Rey Avenue
d. Eastern end of El Paseo.
Public Works Supportive Assessment District, Special Fund Once
Highway 111: Introduce gateway monuments/signage
• Phase 1: Obtain funding
• Phase 2: Set-up competition for design of gateway monuments/signage
• Phase 3: install gateway monuments/signage
Public Works Supportive CDBG, Assessment District Once
Highway 111: Introduce mid-block crosswalk at Sage Lane. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Highway 111: Synchronize all traffic signals between eastern and western city boundaries. Public Works Supportive City General Fund, MAP-21, State Fund, Measure A, TUMF As needed
Highway 111: Introduce new landscaping in center median and restripe narrower traffic lanes to
between 10 and 11 feet (keeping 3 travel lanes in each direction) and add buffered bike lane in surplus
pavement area adjacent to curbs.
• Option 1: Phase 1: Repave roadway (optional), introduce median landscape, restripe traffic lanes and
provide striped bike lane and buffer. Phase 2: Introduce cycle track and associated landscape.
• Option 2: Repave roadway (optional), introduce median landscape, restripe traffic lanes, and install
cycle
track and associated landscape.
Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP, State Fund Once
These actions are activities for the City to undertake to improve, amend, or expand its procedures or inform future actions.
Periodically review fee structures for potential opportunities to provide financial and administrative incentives to
support installation of renewable energy generators, energy efficiency measures, land use patterns, and other
measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP As needed
Proactively develop strategies to reduce the community’s vulnerability to climate change impacts. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants On-going
Work with nearby local and regional agencies to develop a community choice aggregation system in order to secure
alternative energy supply contracts for the community. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Implement a program to install the latest energy-efficient technologies for street and parking lot lights to meet City and
state standards. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Once
Replace City fleet vehicles with low emission vehicles, such as EVs and Plug-in EVs wherever possible. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Track and publically support legislation and regional, state, and federal efforts that improve air quality. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Coordinate air quality planning efforts with other local, regional and state agencies, and encourage community
participation in air quality planning. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Work with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to ensure the earliest practicable attainment of
federal and State ambient air quality standards. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Form partnerships with school districts and other educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and regional
governmental agencies to foster and participate in efforts promoting prevention, healthy lifestyles and positive health
outcomes.
Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Ongoing
Develop a standardized citywide process to permit community gardens on vacant lots, rooftops, parkways and
residential property. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Work with Sunline to identify opportunities to improve access to medical centers, especially for communities in need
such as those with physical or mental disability or seniors. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants As needed
Create a healthy development review checklist for use in review new development proposals. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Commission a community economic impact study to assess the current cultural landscape of Palm Desert and its
economic benefit to the community.
Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Study the benefit of an arts and culture district in Palm Desert. Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Investigate funding methods for the arts and culture sector. Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Play an active role in the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, the Southern California Association of
Governments and other regional agencies to protect and promote the interests of the City
Planning, Public
Works, City Manager,
City Council
Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Regularly review and, as needed, update the impact fees to keep pace with changing economic conditions and
community needs. Adopt and update the City’s authority for collection of development fees within the full extent
allowed under state law.
Finance Critical City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Develop and provide incentives to assist developers in revitalization and rehabilitation of existing structures, uses and
properties through improvement programs, innovative development standards, specific plans and assessment districts.
Planning Division,
Economic Dept,
Finance Dept
Critical City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Every five years, review and adjust, as needed, the General Plan’s population and employment capacities to meet
changes in economic and demographic conditions. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Develop a plan to encourage businesses to relocate to Palm Desert to bridge the gap between June and September with
year-round residents and jobs.
Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Regularly review the City’s permit processing for comparisons with other California cities.
Bld & Safety Dpt,
Public Works Dpt,
Planning Division
Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Promote campus development and campus life through participation in the University Planning Committee.
City Council, City
Manager, Planning
Division
Critical City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Follow best practices for traffic study guidelines for development and transportation projects that address all modes of
transportation. Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Identify and update transportation service levels for all modes of transportation including autos, transit, bicycles, and
pedestrians which will be included in the traffic study guidelines. Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly meet with Sunline Transit to discuss new development proposals and any updates to transit routes to support
projects with an appropriate levels of density, mix of uses, and connections to the bicycle/pedestrian networks
Public Works, Special
Programs (lead),
Planning
Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly review bicycle and pedestrian connections to existing bus stops to maintain safe access for all users Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly update transportation impact fees to include both capital costs related to all modes of travel including
automobiles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians
Finance (Lead) Public
Works Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly collect data on the performance of all transportation modes Public Works Critical City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly evaluate traffic signal operations along coordinated corridors to ensure that signal coordination and
operations reflect changes in transportation conditions. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Develop and regularly update parking management plans for all applicable areas along the 111 Corridor. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP, Assessment
District Periodic
Regularly meet with Sunline Transit to review bus stop locations and amenities Public
Works/Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly evaluate new data collection, analysis techniques, and tools including real time Big Data sources for use by
City Staff and residents. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly coordinate with Caltrans, RCTC, and CVAG for the planning, design, and construction of new transportation
facilities including both roadways and non-motorized routes.
Public Works
(Lead)/Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP On-going
Regularly coordinate with CVAG for the siting of a Metrolink stop in Palm Desert. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP On-going
Facilitate community policing and neighborhood watch organizations aimed at increasing awareness and decreasing
opportunities for crime activity. Police Department Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Continue to confer and coordinate with the solid waste franchisee to fully meet and if possible exceed the provisions
from AB 939 by expanding recycling programs that divert valuable resources from the waste stream and returning these
materials to productive use.
Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Investigate the feasibility of broadband service throughout Palm Desert as an economic development strategy. Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Update the City’s public GIS database with information on the extent and potential impact of seismic, geotechnical, fire,
and flood hazards occurring in the city and the SOI. All future developments will be required to submit their data for
incorporation into this database.
Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP As needed
Consult Riverside County and other jurisdictions to monitor and update the City’s LHMP. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Update the City’s Critical Infrastructure/Facilities inventory included in the Emergency Operations Plan and Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Evaluate critical City facilities for seismic safety. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Identify and analyze vulnerabilities of key privately owned critical facilities, such as hospitals and businesses, in the city
that should remain in operation after an emergency event. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Encourage participation of representatives from local schools, universities, hospital facilities, and other local
organizations in regional emergency planning efforts. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Conduct an inventory of all unreinforced structures with higher potential susceptibility to seismic hazards, and develop
a prioritized list of recommended phasing for retrofits, based on severity of vulnerability. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Partner with Riverside County, regional entities, and local financial institutions to explore and promote financing
options for seismic retrofits. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Coordinate with FEMA, state agencies, Riverside County, and other jurisdictions to understand potential changes to the
extent or severity of flood hazards based on the impacts of a changing climate. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Prohibit development in the 100-year floodplain, unless adequate flood mitigation is provided on-site as well as
downstream of the project area. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Monitor and update the floodplain management ordinance and continue participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Continue to maintain and enforce regulations and guidelines for the development and maintenance of project-specific
on-site retention/detention basins to control stormwater and implement the NPDES program, including measures to
enhance groundwater recharge, complement regional flood control facilities, and address applicable community design
policies.
Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Identify opportunities for creative public projects that provide “proof of concept” for innovative dual-use and
stormwater management while also addressing risks to floods. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Identify barriers to access to safe cooling centers for vulnerable populations. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Coordinate with local partners to supplement gaps in services and needs for safe cooling centers during extreme heat
events. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Identify populations that, due to economic or other circumstances, do not have the resources to cool or heat their living
environment during hot summers, or cold winters, and thus may be at risk for temperature-related illnesses or death.
During high heat or extreme cold events, check on these individuals, and if necessary, transport them to cooling centers
or heated shelters.
Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Enforce Cal-OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Program, especially in the sectors where employees are exposed to extreme
heat conditions at outdoor worksites. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Consult with the Riverside County Department of Public Health to identify and reduce risks from existing and new
hazardous waste sites in the city and the SOI. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Designate appropriate access routes to facilitate the transport of hazardous and toxic material in consultation with
emergency service providers through CVAG and the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Investigate exceeding minimum seismic safety standards for critical facilities that ensure building function. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Once
These are actions that are outwardly focused and intended to directly benefit the community.
Support and expand programs to educate and incentivize the community on water conservation practices for
landscaping. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Work with the Riverside County Public Health Department to establish social networks and website updates to
distribute information on climate change impacts to vulnerable populations including actions they can take to reduce
exposure to unhealthy conditions.
Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Actively promote the City as a place for renewable energy generation, and a place for energy conservation businesses
to locate.
Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Create incentives to convert vacant lots into small parks or open spaces throughout the City. Planning/Parks Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Ongoing
Create incentives for new development to include small parks, tot lots, passive gardens, outdoor eating areas, plazas,
paseos and other outdoor open spaces. Planning/Parks Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Continue work with the school districts and other community organizations to provide and support after-school fitness
and education programs for school age children.
Parks/Special
Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Partner with local academic, medical and technology organizations to explore the potential for developing a satellite
campus or research & technology campus for high education training.
Economic
Development Dept Supportive City General Func CIP, Grants Ongoing
Develop a comprehensive community agriculture program that includes schools and parks. Parks Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Sponsor and support a variety of community events focused on health and wellness such as walk/run events, weight-
loss programs, fitness programs, and similar activities. Consider a health theme at summer and holiday activities
Special Events/ Parks
& Rec Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Ongoing
Work to expand the number and occurrence of farmer’s markets in Palm Desert. Economic
Development Dept Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Once
Work to establish Community Supported Agriculture programs to serve Palm Desert residents. Special Districts Supportive City General Fund CIP, Grants Ongoing
Allocate municipal resources to help promote the strong and diverse arts facilities and programs offered by the college
and universities.
Economic
Development Supportive City General Fund As needed
Develop incubators for medical and agriculture industries. Economic Dept. Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Update policy and procedures for the purchase of City owned vehicles to prioritizes the acquisition of alternative
fueled vehicles Public Works Supportive City General Fund Periodic
Continue to provide the At-Home Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection program on a semi-annual basis. Public Works Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Support the creation of a community-based education coalition. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Regularly support or host educational summits and symposiums. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Continue to fund School Resources Officer (SRO) positions for the Palm Desert public schools by coordinating with
school officials, and the DSUSD to provide a safe learning environment for Palm Desert students. Police Department Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Consult with the RCFD Office of Emergency Services, the CVWD, Southern California Edison, the Southern California
Gas Company, the Imperial Irrigation District, and other utilities and agencies, as appropriate, to develop and
disseminate public education materials advising visitors, residents, and local businesses of appropriate responses in
preparation for and during an emergency.
Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Disseminate materials on the hazards of extreme heat, as well as cooling center locations, in consultation with local
hospitals, nursing homes, community centers, and public and private school districts. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Continue to operate cooling centers in coordination with Riverside County. Special Programs Supportive City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Create a database to track incidents of windstorms, dust storms and other sever weather events to develop a better
understanding of the frequency, magnitude, and costs associated with severe weather. Use this knowledge to
determine the value of establishing a ‘bad weather’ fund to pay for repairs, cleaning and other direct costs of severe
weather. Periodically review the effectiveness of existing plans, programs, codes and ordinances in protecting health
and safety.
Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Work with the emergency response team and community action partnership of Riverside County to expand access to
the drop-in cooling centers for people vulnerable to high heat days. This should also include organizing a
transportation-assistance program for individuals without access to vehicles, develop a robust heat warning system
and provide up-to-date information to residents about cooling center locations and the health risks of extreme heat.
Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Create a phased program for seismic retrofits to existing public and private buildings to meet current requirements. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Once
These are actions that would amend or update the City’s ordinances, codes, design guidelines and other rules and requirements.
Continue to consider and evaluate new construction practices and standards that increase building energy efficiency. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP On-going
Update the City's Zoning Code, Subdivision Ordinance, and other related development standards to fully implement
the General Plan, emphasizing the realization of the community character envisioned in the General Plan. Planning Critical City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Once
Develop opportunities for live/work "artist loft" housing through zoning, regulatory incentives and funding. An
example would be to encourage or provide incentives for the inclusion of live/work space in planned developments. Planning & Economic Supportive City General Fund As needed
Develop creative and innovative zoning and incentives to promote a variety of high-quality residential units that will
also encourage a balance between housing and jobs. Planning Critical City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Revise zoning to encourage inclusive residential housing products. Planning Division Supportive City General Fund CIP, Special Funds,
Grants Ongoing
Update development standards to allow flexible development standards in the university area to encourage a highly
connected, highly walkable campus community.
Building & Safety Dpt,
Public Works Dpt, &
Planning Division
Critical City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Update development standards to allow flexible development standards in the City Center Area to encourage the
development of a vibrant, walkable downtown.
Building & Safety Dpt,
Public Works Dpt, &
Planning Division
Critical City General Fund CIP Ongoing
Update the City Municipal code to allow the use of shared parking, unbundled parking, and other similar techniques
for private land owners. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Develop and update guidelines for development projects that require connections from the site to the external
pedestrian network (both for residential developing and on commercial sites).
Public
Works/Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Develop and update guidelines for development projects that promote connections to existing transit facilities Public
Works/Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Revisit and upgrade Noise Ordnance to reflect the commercial core, surrounding neighborhoods, and mixed-use areas
to better equip the City for regulating a downtown type environment. Planning Critical City General Fund CIP Once
Require homeowners associations and gated communities to identify gaps in services, potential vulnerabilities, and
strategies to reduce risks to hazards in residential communities. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Periodic
Establish a local ordinance with a deadline for existing structures to meet current seismic safety standards. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Prepare an ordinance that require future developments to use construction techniques and methods that minimize
wind-borne sediments and impacts to existing developments throughout the city. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Update the City’s landscape ordinance to require new public facilities or park improvements to be designed using
drought-tolerant tree plantings, landscaping, fences, berms, or other methods to serve as windbreaks. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Update and enforce Title 28 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code to integrate and account for FEMA flood maps, as
necessary. Planning Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
Incorporate new fire hazard severity zones and related state standards from CalFire. Public Safety Supportive City General Fund CIP Once
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT GENERAL PLAN