Planning Commission backs six-month extension for Desert Willow development agreement
Commissioners recommend pushing back performance deadline for 80 remaining units at Desert Willow golf course community as city and developer refine agreement terms.
The Palm Desert Planning Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to recommend that the City Council approve a fourth amendment extending a development agreement covering the remaining 80 unbuilt units at Desert Willow.
The agreement covers property east of Portola Avenue and north of Country Club Drive within the Desert Willow planned residential zone. The commission’s recommendation would extend the agreement’s term by six months, from August to February 2027.
Staff with the city’s Development Services Department told the commission the extension would give the city more time to work with the developer on refining a performance schedule detailing obligations, deliverables and required timing for completing the project. There would be no changes are proposed to land uses, development intensity, site design or existing entitlements.
In addition, the department recommended the project be found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under what is known as the common-sense exemption, meaning the action would not have an effect on the environment. Property owners within 1,000 feet of the site were notified of the hearing.
One commissioner asked what would happen if the agreement were allowed to expire without an extension. Deputy Director of Development Services Carlos Flores said the city could take action against the property owner for failing to perform, which could include allowing the project’s entitlements to expire, requiring the developer to reapply for entitlements before building.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The agreement will next go before the Palm Desert City Council for final action.
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