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Home My WebLink About22B Lupine Plaza - Public Comments EXHIBIT “1” IMG_2394.jpeg IMG_2395.jpeg EXHIBIT “2” EXHIBIT 2 From:Josi Boelzner To:Deborah Glickman Subject:Lupine Plaza Date:Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:42:28 PM I just would like to let you know how badly we object to the Lupine Plaza idea. It is terrible to block our parking lot from entering from El Paseo. Or from the main artery HWY 111 to El Paseo. That project would take away our parking. Increase our problem with the homeless. Why can’t you find another location to do this. Also of note if we have to drive to the alley to get to our parking lot, the condition of the alley is terrible it has major potholes. Also from our experience we did not see much usage of the Plaza while it was there temporarily. Please reconsider Thanks Josi Boelzner Josi Boelzner Boelzner & Associates Insurance Services 73350 El Paseo # 107 Palm Desert, Ca 92260 (760) 773-5671 josi@boelzner.com This message is intended for the use of the person or entity which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you have received this message by error, please notify us immediately and destroy the related message. From:Sonia Stewart To:Deborah Glickman Cc:Cathy Green Subject:Lupine Lane Date:Friday, April 8, 2022 10:35:46 AM In response to the proposal to making Lupine Lane into an eating establishment. It was done during the Covid concern and turned into a tramp camp. It was unclean and filled with vagrants at night and early morning. Customers were afraid to walk down that sidewalk to get to the back parking lot. It definitely disrupted my business...customers confused as to where they could park. We don't have enough parking, as it is, to turn one of our "streets" into a "diner. " There are enough eating establishments in Palm Desert and I, for one, don't want to take any business away from them The restaurants have had enough difficulty trying to survive this disaster. We would be better served with lighting for pedestrians to cross at the intersections. The visibility is difficult at night when pedestrians are crossing the street Many do not even stop at the intersection. If there was better lighting, perhaps they would realize it is a STOP sign. Please rethink your position on LUPINE LANE ..Appreciate your consideration Sincerely, Sonia Stewart 4 Seasons Swimwear 73-400 El Paseo #4 Palm Desert, Calif. 92260 From:Erika Castellano To:Anthony Mejia; Niamh M. Ortega Cc:Todd Hileman Subject:FW: City Council Meeting, April 14, 2022 Date:Tuesday, April 12, 2022 9:56:14 AM Attachments:image001.png *City Council is blind copied* Erika Castellano Management Specialist Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6315 ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org From: Samuel Heaton <sam@codagallery.com> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 8:28 AM To: Erika Castellano <ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org> Subject: City Council Meeting, April 14, 2022 Erika Castellano City Council Secretary CODA Gallery fronts directly on the proposed Lupine redevelopment, and we strongly oppose “Lupine Plaza Reimagined.” Since Lupine Lane was first blocked during the pandemic, our feedback, questions, suggestions, and petitions to the City of Palm Desert Officials have been largely ignored. Blocking through-traffic on Lupine Lane with the temporary plaza last year caused major problems with traffic flow and customers’ ability to access area businesses, delivery vehicle access, and parking. The proposed permanent Lupine Plaza will be detrimental to business, which CODA and neighboring businesses experienced and expressed to City Officials during last year’s roadblock. The creation of the temporary plaza may have made sense during the height of the pandemic, but the space was rarely used except by the homeless and resulted in unsightly and unsanitary conditions with overflowing trash and rats, as well as outdoor urination since there are no public restrooms. Both visitors and staff felt unsafe, especially after dark. “Lupine Plaza Reimagined” will have the same problems. It will be costly to maintain and create social, sanitary, and security issues. Please keep Lupine Lane open for through-traffic between 111 and El Paseo. Palm Desert, its residents, visitors, and businesses would be better served by updating and improving El Paseo itself, providing shade trees and restful seating areas, which was part of a previous plan for El Paseo that was never implemented. Sincerely, Samuel Heaton Director codagallery.com 73400 El Paseo Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.346.4661, ext 108 From:Erika Castellano Cc:Todd Hileman; Anthony Mejia; Niamh M. Ortega; Eric Ceja; Deborah Glickman Subject:FW: Lupine Plaza - STREET CLOSURE Date:Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:38:37 PM Attachments:MAT"s signature.png Screen Shot 2017-02-13 at 3.49.47 PM.png *City Council is blind copied* Hello, Here is another email I received regarding Lupine Plaza. Please let me know if you have any questions. Erika Castellano Management Specialist Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6315 ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org From: Michael A. Thomas <mat@designcollectivegroup.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:26 PM To: Erika Castellano <ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org> Cc: wendymartellojewelry@gmail.com; tim@desertluxuryestates.com; Joseph Sassorossi <elizabethsassllc@yahoo.com>; caesarsshoes@gmail.com; Kelly@boelzner.com; gcortesmft1@gmail.com; josie@josiesheart.com; su@suandsethsweets.com; baker designcollectivegroup.com <baker@designcollectivegroup.com>; kathy@flashfrozenphotography.com; jgarcia@atwork.com; josh@jwillott.com; bob@akwcpa.com; Amy Melendez <amy.melendez@hotmail.com>; Samuel Heaton <sam@codagallery.com>; Sonia Stewart <swimlady46@yahoo.com>; ROBERT FREEMAN <mistermarcus@mac.com>; Areli Beltran <areli@codagallery.com>; George Kasira <georgekasira@gmail.com>; Jonathan <jkasira@gmail.com>; patgaley@yahoo.com; sally@sweetbasilpd.com; josh@theclubfix.com; litlredbecca@aol.com; Carol Feiner <cfeiner@allied-dp.com>; doerthe Erdbeer <derdbeer@allied- dp.com>; cgreen@allied-dp.com Subject: Lupine Plaza - STREET CLOSURE TO: City Of Palm Desert / City Council As a 7-year tenant on El Paseo and currently located in the Coble Building at Lupine and El Paseo, our business fully and completely opposes the closing of Lupine and the creation of a park and plaza. Not only did we see a dramatic increase in parking problems, issues with transportation deliveries thru the adjacent alley and dealt with increasing numbers of homeless individuals when the temporary plaza was installed, the very idea that the city has fully and completely failed to engage the local businesses in the area shows a city who is disconnected with the business community. Emergency vehicles ( fire and rescue departments ) along with freight + business delivery services will be fully, severely and directly impacted should this street be closed and re-purposed. It is not the place for such a plaza. We were told several weeks back that the “designers” of such would be in touch with us to glean information and ideas. At no time has anyone reached out to learn what we believe nor what we have experienced to date…. and to gather much needed data as a basis for any design plans. The ONLY purpose for any government agency is the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public. Should the City of Palm Desert move forward, the City Council and all its department employees will have failed the El Paseo’s businesses. And then…it will be interesting to learn who is actually behind this “pet” project and what they will gain by closing of this much needed passage between El Paseo and Highway 111. Regards.. Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS Design Collective Group Inc 73350 El Paseo Showroom #103 Palm Desert, CA 92260 On Apr 13, 2022, at 3:34 AM, Cathy Green <cgreen@allied-dp.com> wrote: The meeting starts at 4:00 pm. Cathy On Apr 13, 2022, at 11:13 AM, Cathy Green <cgreen@allied-dp.com> wrote: Good morning everyone, Just a reminder that the City Council meeting is tomorrow. The link is below. It looks like we are no. 22 on the agenda. Everyone has a right to speak, limited to 3 minutes of comments for each speaker. If you are comfortable, we should all speak. Unfortunately, I will be traveling tomorrow, but representatives from my company with be participating. When the item comes up, the Mayor will call for any public comment. Please “raise your hand” so that you may provide your comments. Here is the link to the Zoom webinar for 04/14: http://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/zoom Thanks you for your cooperation. Cathy On Apr 8, 2022, at 5:40 PM, Cathy Green <cgreen@allied- dp.com> wrote: Hello everyone, Following up on Kathy Rappaport’s emails. We are now less than a week away from the April 14th (this coming Thursday) City Council meeting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to the City to express their opposition to the closing of Lupine Lane. If you have not reached out yet, PLEASE do so now. Per Jan Harnik, “When you have the opportunity, please go to www.engagepalmdesert.com and contribute your thoughts to this effort. The City staff monitors this page and will forward and consider your comments appropriately.” You can also email the City directly at Deborah Glickman at dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org and Jan Harnik at jharnik@cityofpalmdesert.org. I realize everyone is busy, but it should only take five minutes of your time to leave your comments. We are at a crucial crossroads at this time. We don’t want the City to get to a point where they will not turn back. There is strength in numbers, so we need everyone to participate. My company (the owners of El Paseo Square) continues to reach out regularly to various contacts at the city. Attached is our latest correspondence to the City Council secretary. Again, the City Council meeting is not in person, but virtual. Here is a link to the Calendar. https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/palm- desert-meetings/-curm-4/-cury-2022 Thank you for your cooperation. Cathy From: Cathy Green [mailto:cgreen@allied-dp.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 3:19 PM To: 'tim@DesertLuxuryEstates.com' <tim@DesertLuxuryEstates.com>; 'ElizabethSassLLC@yahoo.com' <ElizabethSassLLC@yahoo.com>; 'caesarsshoes@gmail.com' <caesarsshoes@gmail.com>; 'Kelly@Boelzner.com' <Kelly@Boelzner.com>; 'gcortesmft1@gmail.com' <gcortesmft1@gmail.com>; 'josie@josiesheart.com' <josie@josiesheart.com>; 'su@suandsethsweets.com' <su@suandsethsweets.com>; 'baker@designcollectivegroup.com' <baker@designcollectivegroup.com>; 'kathy@flashfrozenphotography.com' <kathy@flashfrozenphotography.com>; 'jgarcia@atwork.com' <jgarcia@atwork.com>; 'josh@jwillott.com' <josh@jwillott.com>; 'bob@akwcpa.com' <bob@akwcpa.com>; 'Amy Melendez' <amy.melendez@hotmail.com>; 'Samuel Heaton (sam@codagallery.com)' <sam@codagallery.com>; 'Sonia Stewart (swimlady46@yahoo.com)' <swimlady46@yahoo.com>; 'ROBERT FREEMAN' <mistermarcus@mac.com> Cc: 'Carol Feiner' <cfeiner@allied-dp.com>; 'doerthe Erdbeer (derdbeer@allied-dp.com)' <derdbeer@allied-dp.com> Subject: RE: Lupine Plaza - STREET CLOSURE - PLEASE READ Hello everyone, I am following up on my email below. I have had little, to no response, from anyone. If we are serious about trying to get the City to reverse course on the permanent closure, we are definitely going to have to join forces. Please confirm your interest in participating in a group effort here. Thank you. Sincerely, Cathy From: Cathy Green [mailto:cgreen@allied-dp.com] Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2022 7:49 PM To: 'tim@DesertLuxuryEstates.com' <tim@DesertLuxuryEstates.com>; 'ElizabethSassLLC@yahoo.com' <ElizabethSassLLC@yahoo.com>; 'caesarsshoes@gmail.com' <caesarsshoes@gmail.com>; 'Kelly@Boelzner.com' <Kelly@Boelzner.com>; 'gcortesmft1@gmail.com' <gcortesmft1@gmail.com>; 'josie@josiesheart.com' <josie@josiesheart.com>; 'su@suandsethsweets.com' <su@suandsethsweets.com>; 'baker@designcollectivegroup.com' <baker@designcollectivegroup.com>; 'kathy@flashfrozenphotography.com' <kathy@flashfrozenphotography.com>; 'jgarcia@atwork.com' <jgarcia@atwork.com>; 'josh@jwillott.com' <josh@jwillott.com>; 'bob@akwcpa.com' <bob@akwcpa.com>; 'Amy Melendez' <amy.melendez@hotmail.com>; Samuel Heaton (sam@codagallery.com) <sam@codagallery.com>; Sonia Stewart (swimlady46@yahoo.com) <swimlady46@yahoo.com>; ROBERT FREEMAN <mistermarcus@mac.com> Cc: Carol Feiner <cfeiner@allied-dp.com>; doerthe Erdbeer (derdbeer@allied-dp.com) <derdbeer@allied-dp.com> Subject: FW: Lupine Plaza - STREET CLOSURE - PLEASE READ Importance: High Good evening, everyone, My name is Cathy Green. I work for the owner of the El Paseo Square shopping center located along Lupine Lane between El Paseo Blvd. and Highway 111. Some of you I met this last Thursday, others of you may have met my colleagues, Carol and Doerthe. The purpose of my email is to confirm that the City is taking a final design for Lupine Plaza to City Council on April 14 that includes a complete closure of a portion of Lupine Lane. Please see the email below from Deborah Glickman. Everyone on this email has expressed opposition to this decision. My colleagues and I have been communicating our opposition to the permanent closure of Lupine Lane to various city officials for almost a year now, with no success. I believe there is strength in numbers and so I ask the following: 1. Please forward this email to anyone else you know who is opposed to the closure of Lupine Lane and ask them to email me so I can add them to this email chain. 2. Please immediately email Deborah Glickman at dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org and Jan Harnik at jharnik@cityofpalmdesert.org expressing your opposition. Please copy me at cgreen@allied- dp.com. 3. We, as a group, request a zoom meeting with Deborah Glickman and Jan Harnik to express our concerns. 4. That as many people as possible physically attend the City Council meeting on April 14th. I have been told by an attorney that a substantial presence at that meeting from those opposing the street closure will be very important. I welcome any other ideas anyone may have regarding how to present a united front to oppose the permanent closure of Lupine Lane. Sincerely, Cathy Green ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Deborah Glickman <dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org> Date: Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 3:39 PM Subject: RE: Lupine Plaza To: Ellis Goodman <egoodman@allied-dp.com> Hi: Thank you for reaching out. You are correct that the City Council has asked staff to continue with the design process for a permanent Lupine Plaza. The decision on the final project will be up to the City Council. Right now, staff plans is to take the final design to the City Council at its meeting on April 14. The current draft of the plan includes a full closure of the street to accommodate the plaza. Staff and the design team met with Sam from CODA to talk about delivery access for them. The design team has designated a delivery zone specifically for CODA. A link to the current draft of the plan can be found at https://www.engagepalmdesert.com/lupine-plaza. Recordings of the February 15 Community Meeting and the March 10 City Council Study Session on Lupine Plaza can also be found on the site. If you would like to talk to the Mayor and City Councilmembers about your concerns, you can call the City at 760-346-0611 or reach out to them via email. The Mayor and City Councilmembers’ emails can be found at https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our- city/mayor-and-city-council-/meet-your- representatives. It also may help to reach out to the City Council secretary, Erika Castellano, at the number above or ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org. Sometimes it is easier to reach the Mayor and City Councilmembers through her. Best, Deborah Deborah Glickman Business Advocate Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6441 dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org Take the City’s Business Survey <Email to Erica City Council.pdf> Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS The Design Collective Group Inc 73-350 El Paseo, Showroom #103 Palm Desert, CA 92260 Voice: 760-322-3784 Email: mat@designcollectivegroup.com Web: TheDesignCollectiveGroup.com From:Erika Castellano To:Anthony Mejia; Niamh M. Ortega Cc:Todd Hileman Subject:FW: Lupine Plaza Street Closure Date:Tuesday, April 12, 2022 8:21:15 AM *City Council is blind copied* Erika Castellano Management Specialist Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6315 ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org From: Amy Melendez <amy.melendez@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 11:56 AM To: CouncilMeeting Comments <CouncilMeetingComments@cityofpalmdesert.org> Cc: Erika Castellano <ecastellano@cityofpalmdesert.org>; Jan Harnik <jharnik@cityofpalmdesert.org>; Deborah Glickman <dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org> Subject: Lupine Plaza Street Closure Dear members, I’d like to voice my vehement opposition of the proposed closure of Lupine Street. My boutique Insanity is located on the corner of El Paseo & Lupine. When I first moved into the space in July of 2019, my entire shop was surrounded by red-curb parking bans. I reached out to Randy Bowman Project Manager for the City. He came out to view the restrictions and was able to reduce the red curb by 32 feet!!! As an El Paseo business owner, GAINING 32 feet of parking DIRECTLY in front of my shop was indeed a victory… Unfortunately a short-lived victory as we prepared for a global pandemic, two years of no one even getting dressed, let alone clothing shopping. Now that our city & streets are once again bustling, you’re opting to close an important through street?? This is an immeasurable loss for not only my business but neighboring ones as well. Parking is already difficult during high season. To lose an entire block of parking is tragic. My customer base is aged between 60-85 years old. Many of them “stop in” simply because there was a parking spot just out front and they make it a point of mentioning that. To be clear, my business does not sell essentials. I sell clothing. Making it difficult for shoppers to find parking simply means they will not shop. During the pandemic, I understand the goal of the space was to AID restaurants with overflow seating. However, not only was the space very poorly attended, it quickly became a homeless haven. Each morning the trash was overflowing, tables were over turned, and cell phones were found charging at our Lupine entrance. On numerous occasions we would have disheveled, drugged-out or mentally-unstable transients coming in to our store, or passed out next to the trash bin outside as a result of the space being utilized in this manner, which is unacceptable. Squalor is how I’d sum up the effect of Lupine street closure and the safety of myself and my employees was put in jeopardy by the City of Palm Desert. Just because money was spent on a very-pricy design of the space “Re-imagined,” does not negate the fact that local businesses and citizens alike DO NOT WANT it. Quite simply put; “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There are better places these resources could be applied and with superior results. Please consider these sentiments… Sincerely, Amy Melendez, Owner Insanity 73400 El Paseo B3 Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-333-7674 Sent from Mail for Windows From:Somer To:CouncilMeeting Comments Subject:Lupine Plaza Redevelopment Date:Thursday, April 7, 2022 2:34:06 PM The temporary Lupine Plaza was set up because restaurants could not have people inside but that is no longer the case. The plaza was a big attraction to the homeless and El Paseo started to look more like Venice boardwalk than Rodeo Drive. It trashed up the street. Literally. Trash was left everywhere and the place was always in disarray. I have several pictures of homeless people laying on the benches in the middle of the afternoon and they often wandered into the businesses when they woke up. Several customers ran into our store, scared by some of them trying to approach them. On windy days, the place became dangerous because of umbrellas falling down. People complained all the time about not being able to drive there or park there. I never heard a single visitor actually saying anything GOOD about the plaza. Only complaints. I vote NO on making this permanent. Sincerely, Somer Stewart From:Areli Beltran To:CouncilMeeting Comments Cc:Erika Castellano Subject:Lupine Plaza Closure - City Council Meeting, April 14, 2022 Date:Thursday, April 14, 2022 11:21:45 AM City of Palm Desert / City Council I strongly oppose closing Lupine Lane and the “Reimagined Plaza”. Closing Lupine Lane has created many problems for all the surrounding businesses as well as those who work in these businesses. While Lupine was closed with the temporary Lupine Plaza, parking was no longer available on Lupine Lane. Therefore, parking elsewhere was a hassle since it is limited to everyone who works or shops around Lupine. Delivery trucks had to park on El Paseo to make their deliveries which blocked a street to through traffic and created problems with El Paseo traffic flow. Lupine Plaza was filthy and never properly sanitized which are big red flags for health concerns. Also, Lupine Plaza attracted many homeless in the area who would sleep on the tables/benches, and at times I was concerned for my safety. I understand Lupine Plaza was well intended during COVID, but it quickly became a problem for everyone that works or owns a business near Lupine. Please do not continue with this project and keep Lupine Lane open and safe for everyone. I am sure the city’s resources can be put to better use. Sincerely, Areli Beltran www.codagallery.com (800) 700-4661 Toll Free (760) 346-4661 Ext. 104 ***************************************************************** This communication (including any attachments to it) is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please promptly return it to us, destroy all copies of it, and notify us immediately. To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any US federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. If you are not the original addressee of this communication, you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent advisor. Thank You. From:Deborah Glickman To:Anthony Mejia; Niamh M. Ortega Subject:FW: New idea added on Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza Date:Thursday, April 14, 2022 9:30:51 AM Hi: I am not sure if this is something that you include in the record for City Council agenda items, but below is an email notification for a comment on Lupine Plaza that was received on the City’s Engage Palm Desert website. I will be forwarding another comment notification in a separate email. Thank you, Deborah Deborah Glickman Business Advocate Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6441 dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org Take the City’s Business Survey From: City of Palm Desert <notifications@engagementhq.com> Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2022 2:18 PM To: Deborah Glickman <dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org> Subject: New idea added on Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza Hi dglickman You have received a new contribution on the Ideas tool, Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza on project Lupine Plaza Reimagined on your site, Lupine Plaza was a disaster and making it permanent would be awful! It takes away parking for the business nearby and attracted the homeless - A definite NO to making Lupine Plaza permanent. - Added by Summer Click here to view the idea This is an auto-generated email sent when a contribution is added to your site on EngagementHQ. If you do not wish to receive this email in the future, you can configure your tool to not send emails. From:Deborah Glickman To:Anthony Mejia; Niamh M. Ortega Cc:Eric Ceja Subject:FW: New idea added on Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza Date:Thursday, April 14, 2022 9:32:04 AM Hi: Below is the second notification. Deborah Deborah Glickman Business Advocate Ph: 760.346.0611 Direct: 760.776.6441 dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org Take the City’s Business Survey From: City of Palm Desert <notifications@engagementhq.com> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 9:22 AM To: Deborah Glickman <dglickman@cityofpalmdesert.org> Subject: New idea added on Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza Hi dglickman You have received a new contribution on the Ideas tool, Share Your Ideas For Lupine Plaza on project Lupine Plaza Reimagined on your site, Redevelop El Paseo, not Lupine Lane - Blocking through-traffic on Lupine Lane with the temporary plaza last year caused major problems with traffic flow and customers’ ability to access area businesses, delivery vehicle access, and parking. The proposed permanent Lupine Plaza will be detrimental to Palm Desert, its residents, visitors, and businesses. All would be better served by updating and improving El Paseo itself with shade trees and restful seating areas, which was part of a previous plan for El Paseo that was never implemented. - Added by Sam Click here to view the idea This is an auto-generated email sent when a contribution is added to your site on EngagementHQ. If you do not wish to receive this email in the future, you can configure your