Council Agenda- November 7, 2024
26529.00000\42588333.4
City of Indian Wells
Ordinance No. ___
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF INDIAN WELLS )
CERTIFICATION FOR ORDINANCE NO. ____
I, Angelica Avila, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Ordinance No. ___, having been regularly introduced at the meeting of November 7, 2024, was again introduced, the reading in full thereof unanimously waived, and duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the ___of ______, 2025 said ordinance was passed and adopted by the following stated vote, to wit:
and was thereafter on said day signed by the Mayor of the City of Indian Wells.
AYES:
NOES:
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________ ____________________________
ANGELICA AVILA TODD LEISHMAN FOR
CITY CLERK BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
CITY ATTORNEY
Council Agenda- November 7, 2024
INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL
November 7, 2024
To: City Council
From: City Manager Department
Prepared by: Christopher Freeland, City Manager
Subject: Purchase and Sale Agreement between Pacific Silver Partners and the City of Indian Wells for the Sale of Hole #17 of the Players Course
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council AUTHORIZES and DIRECTS the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Indian Wells and Pacific Silver Partners for the sale of Hole #17 of the Players Course (APN 633-150-077); and FINDS the action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under state CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
BACKGROUND:
The Indian Wells Golf Resort was built to serve as a tourist attraction for the benefit of the local hotels. The project was done by the former Indian Wells Redevelopment Agency.
When redevelopment was dissolved by the State of California in February 2012, that same month, the Indian Wells Redevelopment Agency transferred ownership of the land where Hole #17 is located to the City of Indian Wells.
Over the past several years, the City of Indian Wells has been evaluating the redesign of the Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. The purpose of the redesign is to address much needed rehabilitation of the course, protect and improve golf course economics, and improve golfer experience. Currently, players must travel through the Whitewater Channel via a low-flow golf cart path between Hole #16 and Hole #17. Holes #17 & 18 are not currently connected to existing Players Course, but rather are located on the southern side of the Whitewater Channel, and adjacent to the Renaissance Esmerelda Resort & Spa (Renaissance). Holes #17 & 18 were placed in their current location to provide guests of the Renaissance with views of the golf course from their hotel rooms.
Council Agenda- November 7, 2024
At the October 24, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council authorized the construction of a newly designed Players Course that will relocate Holes #17 & 18 north of the Whitewater Channel with the balance of golf holes on Players Course. Included in the approval of the project is a funding strategy utilizing $4.3 million in land sales to offset the costs of the redesigned golf course. This purchase and sale agreement with Pacific Silver Partners generates $4.3 million in land sales for the golf course redesign.
DISCUSSION:
Hole #17 of the Players Course is located north of Highway 111, and a short distance west of Miles Avenue, wedged between the Renaissance Hotel. The property is 3.04 acres in size and is zoned Open Space for Golf and Recreation purposes. The p roperty’s Riverside County Assessor’s Office parcel number is APN 633-150-077. Attachment No. 1 provides an aerial view of the property’s location and parcel map.
The property was appraised in July 2022, with its highest and best use with zoning of Resort Commercial, consistent with the zoning of the Renaissance and adjacent property to the east. The appraised value of the land was $2.45 million.
The City and Pacific Silver Partners have negotiated the following terms for the sale of Hole #17.
Purchase Price of $4.3 million
Sold in its “as is” condition
City to lease Hole #17 at $1.00/month through July 2026, unless terminated earlier by the City. This will allow for completion of Players Course. Land is currently being recommended for rezoning to Resort Commercial in the City’s General Plan Update to be completed in 2025. If rezoning is not approved with General Plan Update, City to refund $1.3 million to Pacific Silver Partners. Escrow costs to be shared equally.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
This action has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in CEQA, the state and local CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental regulations of the City.
The City, acting as Lead Agency, has determined the action is exempt from CEQA in that the transfer of land under the existing land use is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment (14 CCR 15061(b)(3)). Any future development of the site will be subject to the appropriate CEQA analysis and mitigation, as warranted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Aerial Site Location (APN 633-150-077)
Council Agenda- November 7, 2024
Purchase and Sale Agreement
for Hole #17
Council Presentation: November 7, 2024General Business Item J.1
Property Description
•3.04 Acres
•Located just East of
Renaissance along Highway
111
•Zoned: Open Space for Golf
and Recreation Purposes
•Appraised with Resort
Commercial Zoning at $2.45
million
Purchase and Sale Agreement Terms
with Pacific Silver Partners
•Purchase Price $4.3 million
•Sold in its “as is” condition
•City to lease Hole #17 for $1.00/month through July 2026, unless terminated earlier by the City.
•Land is being rezoned from Open Space to Resort Commercial in General Plan
•If rezoning is not approved, City agrees to purchase back property at $4.3 million.
•Escrow costs to be shared equally.
Staff Recommendation
Council AUTHORIZES and DIRECTS the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Indian Wells and Pacific Silver Partners for the sale of Hole #17 of the Players Course (APN 633-150-077); and FINDS the action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under state CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Attachment No. 1
Aerial and Assessor Map of Site Location (Hole #17)
APN: 633-150-077
Council Agenda- November 7, 2024