HomeMy WebLinkAboutPalm Desert Regional Park Fact SheetWhat is the Universit y
Neighborhood Specifi c Plan?
The Universit y Neighborhood Specifi c Plan
outlines land use and development standards for
approximately 400 acres that are proximate to
the California State Universit y San Bernardino and
Universit y of California Riverside satellite campuses.
The original plan was adopted in 2016 and envisioned
a mixed-use, walkable communit y with a variet y of
housing options, commercial opportunities, and open
spaces. Since the plan was adopted, substantial
development activit y has occurred and approvals have
been issued for more than half of the planning area.
The Cit y has just launched a plan update ef fort, with
the main focus being reimagining and planning for the
remaining 170 acres of undeveloped land.
UNSP Boundar y
U nde veloped Planning Ar ea
Why is the plan being updated?
Since the plan was adopted in 2016, some circumstances
have changed:
1) A new regional park will be sited within the
planning area. The regional park had not been
anticipated in the current plan. The regional park will be a
signifi cant communit y asset and provide amenities to both
residents who will live in the UNSP area and to residents
of the Cit y at large. A public librar y and a communit y
building are also being considered.
2) Housing that is required by State law, including
af fordable housing, needs to be accommodated
within the planning area. The Cit y ’s Housing Element
was updated in 2022, after the current plan was adopted.
The Housing Element allocates approximately 1,500
housing units within the planning area.
FA CT SHEET
UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE
What are the other benefi ts to updating
the plan?
Other uses and amenities are being planned for,
including commercial uses. Possible uses could include a
neighborhood market and a neighborhood-serving
mixed-use town center, with the aim of encouraging
local-ser ving uses such as restaurants, cafes, coffee shops,
and other convenience and ser vice businesses.
A highly connected circulation net work will be planned for,
with “Complete Streets ” standards that allow for safe
and comfortable movement whether walking, cycling, driving,
or using public transit.
Objective design standards will be incorporated, which will
provide certaint y to both the communit y and developers as
to the t ypes and standards for development within the
planning area.
Who can I contact?
For inquiries on the Universit y Neighborhood Specifi c Plan
update, you can contact Nick Melloni, Principal Planner at
nmelloni@palmdeser t.gov or (760) 776-6479.
For inquiries on the regional park project, you can
contact Shawn Muir, Communit y Services Manager
at smuir@palmdeser t.gov or (760) 776-6481.
Winter 2024
Background
Analysis:
Review existing
reports and policies,
identify issues and
opportunities
Spring - Summer
2024
Listening:
Gather input from
residents and
stakeholders
Spring - Summer
2024
Plan Alternatives:
Create and refi ne
land use and mobilit y
alternatives
Summer - Fall
2024
Policy and Plan
Development:
Develop policies and
development/design
standards
Fall 2024 -
Winter 2025
Adoption of
Specifi c Plan Update:
Public and decision-
makers will review
specifi c plan update;
adoption of specifi c
plan to follow
Specifi c Plan Update Timeline
How can I get involved?
Over the coming months, the Cit y will host communit y
workshops and hold public hearings on the plan update.
Your participation is highly encouraged! The fi rst communit y
workshop is scheduled for:
DATE/TIME: March 21, 2024 from 4-6pm
LOCATION: iHub
37023 Cook Street Suite 102
Palm Desert, CA 92211
You can also follow the project at www.engagepalmdeser t.
com/unsp and check back for updates and postings on
future meetings for the Universit y Neighborhood Specifi c
Plan. Please scan this QR code to access the site.
You can also follow along on the regional
park project at engagepalmdeser t.com/
regionalpark