WRITTEN
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 2025
Request for a New Streetlight
We have a strong concern about a very dark corner near our homes, and we ask La Quinta City Council to put a new streetlight on that corner.
The dangerous area is the North West corner where Seasons Way turns off of Calle Tampico. '$ ee. reel @t;J Ir be io w .-
~-- The Senior complex of 100 apartments on that corner has 3 pedestrian gates that open onto Calle Tampico and Seasons Way.
~~~ This is a major intersection that's especially busy because of all the events in City Park, the LaQuinta Library and Old Town.
~~~ There's a large residential community of families that use Seasons Way to access Calle Tampico. Children and adults from that area use that corner to go to and from the park, to walk dogs, to walk to Grocery Outlet and Starbucks, and to Old Town. ~~~ Once the sun goes down, that North East corner is completely dark as early as 5 in the afternoon. (The light on the North West corner is designed to light a parking lot and is set far enough back from the corner that its light does not reach the dark North East corner.)
All these conditions create an accident waiting to happen.
We ask that the City Council take action to place a new streetlight at this location.
Please send us feedback on the progress of this request.
Respectfully submitted,
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY RESIDENTS PHYLLIS KIRK & JOAN SANKA
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - INSTALLING STREET LIGHT AT CALLE TAMPICO & SEASONS WAY
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY RESIDENT ANNE O'BRIEN
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - REGARDING USE OF E-BIKES ON TRAILS & SAFETY From: Anne O’Brien
City of Residence: La Quinta, California
Subject Matter: New York Times Article on E- bike Safety Link to Article dated November 30, 2025 titled “The Shocking Crash That Led One County to Reckon With The Dangers of E-Bikes”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/magazine/e-bikes-accidents-safety-legislationcalifornia.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share We at Friends of the Bear Creek feel the above article may be extremely helpful to Council and Staff as they consider plans to ensure safety on our own popular multi-use trail.
The city of La Quinta, like the City of Sausalito in Marin County, strives to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists. Marin’s network of shared trails have been plagued by multiple accidents, including two fatalities caused by e-bikes hitting pedestrians on multi use trails as well as one horrific injury to a young girl who was riding an e-bike with friends.
Our ad hoc citizen’s advocacy group feel strongly that an accident on our own trail is inevitable if adjustments are not made by the city. In addition, stiffer regulations on e bike safety on streets, especially for younger users are essential. It is our hope that this article will be helpful in enhancing your understanding of the perils of keeping the status quo.
While the new signs on the trail encouraging bicyclist courtesy are helpful, they simply do not go far enough.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Anne O’Brien
cc. Lisa Moller and Judith Shepherd, Friends of the Bear Creek Trail 1 From: Anne OBrien <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2025 1:54 PM
To: City Clerk Mail
Subject: NYTimes Gift Article: The Shocking Crash That Led One County to Reckon With the Dangers of E-Bikes. (Gift copy)
** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** [Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Hello again,
Anne here. Would you mind adding this e mail to my comments, as not all interested parties on your end may have online access to the New York Times.
This is a gift article from me and therefore can be opened by those who do not have a subscription.
Many thanks and much appreciated,
Anne
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/magazine/e-bikes-accidents-safety-legislationcalifornia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.5E8.4hww.v5s2tUGAwFOT&smid=nytcore-ios-share Sent from my iPad
1 From: Anne OBrien <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2025 12:07 PM
To: City Clerk Mail
Cc: Lisa Moller; Judith Shepherd
Subject: E-Bike Safety and November 30th New York Times article Attachments: Comments to 12-16 City Council Final.docx
** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** [Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Sent from my iPad
1 From: Philip Bettencourt <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2025 3:05 PM
To: City Clerk Mail
Cc: 'Hamby, JB'; Jon McMillen; Juan C.Perez; [email protected]; [email protected]; Sherry Barkas
Subject: City Council meeting public comments: Recognition of special service. ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** With Tuesday's City Council agenda featuring a package of more than 1000 pages, I wanted to express my support in advance for the staff report recommendations concerning the pending resolution approving items AB and C for the Funding And Reservation Of Capacity Agreement for electrical infrastructure improvements and recruitment of certain power equipment.
I am speaking as an unaffiliated citizen activist of La Quinta but as someone with considerable experience in this matter. I served 2 terms as chair on the La Quinta Planning Commission. I was also an appointee to the Coachella Valley Energy Commission honored to serve with mayor Linda Evans.
In that regard at year- end may I please take the privilege of noting Special recognition of folks who worked to get this package put together dealing with La Quinta’s No 1 infrastructure challenge
We should note first the proactive and pioneering role provided by the IID team including general manager Jamie Asbury as well J B Hanby the other IID directors and senior IID Power Department staff and the special counsel
City manager John McMillen and his staff including Ms. Sherry Barkas, Laurie McGinley, and Jennifer Nelson
The volunteer builder facilitation group had a valuable and tireless and able coordinator in Ms. Geri Bone.
At the county level, Mr. Juan Perez played a special role and serving as a valuable aide to supervisor Perez.
Next Steps. It is time to “Talk the talk and now walk the walk” with Mr. McMillen’s report of the volunteer over subscription that work needs to take place now. For eligible participating builders to perfect their entitlements and secure the necessary funding to meet the city's commitments and expectations under the documents
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY RESIDENT PHILIP BETTENCOURT BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 4 - SUPPORT FOR FUNDING AND AGREEMENTS WITH IID FOR THE AVENUE 58 SUBSTATION
EXPANSION PROJECT
2 We have an opportunity here do participate in an historic cost sharing plan that is workable, achievable, and sustainable.
Good holidays. Thank you for your attention - and thank you for your service Philip Bettencourt | Telephone or
text at will
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1 From: Michael Krahmer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 6:08 PM
To: City Clerk Mail; Planning WebMail
Subject: APPEAL 2025-0001: Testimony
Attachments: Appeal 2025-0001 Club at Coral Mountain..pdf Dear City Clerk and Staff at Planning of the City of La Quinta, The attached document is my written comments to the Appeal 2025-0001 that is on the docket for City Council meeting on 12/16/2025. Please include the attached document in the meeting records.
Thank You,
Mike Krahmer
Telephone:
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY RESIDENT MICHAEL KRAHMER PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NO. 2 - OPPOSED TO THE BIGHORN SHEEP LOCATION AT THE CORAL MOUNTAIN CLUB PROJECT Michael Krahmer
80451 Palatine Ct
La Quinta, CA 92253 TO: [email protected]
[email protected]
RE: APPEAL 2025-0001: Testimony for APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2025-001 (TTM39058), SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2025-0001 AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2025-000W TO ALLOW SUBDIVISION OF 384 ACRE SITE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOLF COURSE PERIMETER LANDSCAPE, AND SALES CENTER; PROJECT CORAL MOUNTAIN CLUB: LOCATION SW CORNER OF 58 AND MADISON STREET. 15 December 2025
SUMMARY
The Meriwether Companies Club at Coral Mountain proposal without modifications to the physically staked Sheep Fence and guarantee of trail access to the citizens and people of Coachella Valley will be take a public space, curtail access to citizenry and modify the “coral” on Coral Mountain
TESTIMONY
Meriwether Companies proposed “Club at Coral Mountain” development of the 384 acres on northeast flank of Coral Mountain has not been handled with the best interest of people who live in Coachella Valley and La Quinta at the forefront. Coral Mountain is a Natural History wonder and Archeological Notable site and abutting the Santa Rosa Wilderness, access to these features and places would be a priority if staff and council cared about their constituents and property taxpayers of La Quinta.
I very much support private property rights, but this development will require large subsidies and city investments for electricity, roads, sewer and infrastructure which the bulk of will be borne by La Quinta property taxpayer and in return the current of residents will have their access to Coral Mountain curtailed, squeezed and cut off. Sprawl the bane of the of western USA for the last fifty years will be increased.
That staff and the council did not mandate a 50-foot easement at the toe (along the of south flank of Coral Mountain for pedestrian, bicycle and horse traffic on the primitive road that has existed since at least is 1920s is incompetent oversight at best and or a giveaway to the connected backers of yet another private golf course. This isn’t an oversight, but rather staff and council putting developers wishes for exclusivity, above the access of residents of Coachella Valley to a wonder.
The way the sheep fence has been staked out with the access trail will be pushed up on to the slope of Coral Mountain. As the sheep fence is stake now the trail will be a rocky mess making it difficult for bikes and horses to pass through. The ask here is to bring the fence down to the base of Coral Mountain with a minimum of a fifty-foot set back from the toe slope line of mountain of the two alluvial coves (delineated in Cyan and Magenta in Figure 1) and any environmental sensitive areas (the petroglyphs, and the habitation site on the north side of the tract maparea (delinated in Green in Figure 1).
The “coral” at Coral Mountain is the best example of periodic Lake Cahuilla that last appeared in early modern history in ~1705 AD. The “coral” at 66th and Jackson is not good or as accessible. The east face of Coral Mountain is a unique natural historic spot, staff and council has not protected the residents of Coachella Valley access and freedom of movement to this place.
PROSPOSED Conditions of Use MODIFICATIONS to the Permit (CUPs Requested) I have three specific modifications requests and it involves moving Sheep Fence approximately 10 to 75 feet to the east as shown in Figure 1. The access trail would then be to the west side of the Fence:
MODIFICATION 1: The primitive road in front of the most stunning and cultural significant area of the old shoreline of real Lake Cahuilla (Figure 2 and Figure 3) in La Quinta area. It should be priority to keep this available to public and future generations. The way sheep fence has been staked out it puts the sheep on the west of the road and removes the old road from public access. The fence in this area should go on the eastside of road and let this area remain open to the people. This modification is a public take of ~0.41 acres.
MODIFICATION 2: This sheep fence should be on the toe of Coral Mountain. The way sheep fence has stake it is approximately 10 feet up the slope of Coral Mountain in this area. At a minimum the fence needs to be moved off the “coral” and onto the flats. This modification is a public take of ~1.06 acres.
MODIFICATION 3: Gobsmacked that staff would let them put a sheep fence immediately in front of Bear Face Rock. Bear Face Rock is on Google Earth and staff and council is going to put a 8-foot sheep fence right in front of cultural landmark and undisturbed ground. Anyway, this area has obviously quarried there are three benches which I have labeled B1, B2 and B3. I think a reasonable trail and fence location would be on B3. The modification is a public take of 0.89 acres.
WRAP UP
I’d be amazed if Staff and Council takes anyone suggestions in this appeal, but I hope you do. I have to point out here that in the EIR for this project the current recreation use of this area was not required because the Wave Park was going to be open to the public and supposedly add to public recreation. When that Option A was rejected because of the lack of water and oversubscription of water in Colorado River Option B was adopted which is a private golf course. Ergo at that point, at a minimum staff and council, should have requested a recreation use survey for the project. That a photometric survey was not completed also seems like a significant oversight.
Southern La Quinta with the cultural landmarks Coral Mountain, the Martinez Landslide, Boo Hoff Trail, Guadalupe Canyon and Devil Canyon are all at risk as the La Quinta sprawl coming calling.
This area is a gateway to Santa Rosa wilderness and is more spectacular than Cove and has been protected by its lack of access. That is changing and I hope the people who live in Coachella Valley take note at what (and how and by who) is being tossed aside and lost for multiple generations.
B1B2B3 MODIFICATION 1- Sheep Fence Easment 1 Sheep Fence MODIFICATION 2 Sheep Fence MODIFICATION 3 Staked Sheep Fence- AREA OF CONCERN Suggested Sheep Fence Easement 1- MODIFICATION 1 Sheep Fence MODIFICATION 2 Sheep Fence MODIFICATION 3 A1 A2 Figure 1: Coral Mountain Overview Map Discussing the Position of the "Sheep Fence" as staked by Meriwether Companies Club at Coral Mountain. The staked portion is the red line. The Green , Magenta and Cyan dashed lines are proposed changes to maintain public access around Coral Mountain.
Figure 2: Cultural Resource Site A1. This site has been used for the last 300 years by people of Coachella Valley and it should be kept open and accessible for future generations. The sheep fence should be put on farside of the obvious road. Currently the sheep fence is staked between the rock and the road.
Figure 3: Cultural Resource Site A2. Mortar holes this is case where the fence needs to be far enough away as to not disturb this site and to allow access to citizenry.
Bike is On Staked Sheep Fence Marker The Trail and Fence Should be Here at the Toe of Coral Mountain FIGURE 4: Site of Proposed MODIFICATION 2. Note the bike is on a survey marker for the proposed "Sheep Fence" public through access will be behind that fence (Red Line). The fence needs to be brought to toe of slope of Coral Mountain and not on Coral Mountain (Magenta Line).
B3 Bear Face Rock Current Sheep Fence/Public Trail PlanBike For Scale Figure 5: The Bear Face Rock section of the staked fence line. While this site is obvious old quarry site, the sheep fence a staked by Meriwether Companies goes onto undisturbed slope of Coral Mountain. A trail behind this fence would be destructive and tight. The fence should go on Bench 3. 1 From: Chris Mc fadden <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 11:14 AM
To: Planning WebMail <[email protected]>
Subject: Appeal 2025-0001
Comment regarding the above referenced Public Hearing today:
My wife and I reside in Indio for the last 7 years, and we frequent the Coral Mountain / Boo Hoff trail area on a weekly basis. It is one of the few outdoor hiking areas in the local vicinity. We have noticed a substantial increase in use of this area over the last few years likely due to the increased use of the LQ Cove / Bear Creek Trail areas.
It is puzzling to us that this proposed project does not appear to have been adequately addressed by the City (AHJ) with requiring reasonable consideration for continued access / integration to this archaeological and historically significant area.
It would be nice if this Easterly trail area and access consideration is integrated into a larger La Quinta Cove Community trail system much like Palm Desert had achieved with the Art Smith Trail. We would be very disappointed to see an opportunity lost, once this spectacular area is walled off by this project.
Regards,
Chris McFadden
Chris and Vonda McFadden
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY INDIO RESIDENT CHRIS McFADDEN PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NO. 2 - OPPOSED TO LOSS OF ACCESS TO CORAL MOUNTAIN OPEN LAND 1 From: Jess Sanchez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Planning WebMail <[email protected]>
Subject: Letter to address proposed development on 58th and 60th To La Quinta City Council:
This letter is to address the proposed development between 58th and 60th Avenue. I am an avid hiker, biker, dog walker and nature lover. I have been hiking in the proposed area for about 15 years. Thus I know the area well.
When I saw the actual grading of the land and the wooden stakes mapping out the area, I knew that we would be losing access to one of the last open deserts in the east valley close to us. Yes, there are the La Quinta Cove hiking trails, however it is like a busy and bustling inner city . It is overcrowded and over used. The land by Coral Mountain is open, tranquil and beautiful. Many residents and visitors use the land to go hiking, off roading , horseback riding, mountain biking, dog walking and many other activities. (At times it is even used the as a take-off for para planes) I enjoy it because I can get away from everybody and everything that stresses our life. It is a place of peace, beauty and enjoyment .
I have seen and elderly man and his wife chant or pray up on the mountain side. I wave to them many times. I love it when he blows his concha shell sounding off a call that acknowledges his ancestors. I have seen many rare animals that come down the mountain like mule deer, big horn sheep and even a wolf. It’s a place where my dogs can run freely like the wind. I play hide and seek with my maltipoo-Chibi. My wife and I attempt to hid among the chaparral and trees . He runs back and forth to each of us as we tried to hide ourselves each time he runs to the other person. He brings great joy to us when Chibi is happy and free. This will no longer be something we do together if the project is approved.
We also take the time to acknowledge God’s creation of the desert and life itself. The area is peaceful enough to gather your thoughts of the day in silence and transformed them into something greater than you. I often climb up on the rock formations near the proposed development to view the open desert and surrounding valley. I think how fortunate we are to have this beauty before us but it is quickly replaced with images of the houses, streets and a golf course. Tears come down on our faces as we think about how the land will be transformed from natural beauty to man’s vision of progress.
This is our way of enjoying our life and beauty in the Coachella Valley desert and mountains. I am retried educator now. Walking and hiking in this area is one of my great joys of retirement. However if this project is approved, it would take away from my daily activities of outdoor life with our family and pets.
Mr. Jess Sanchez
Thermal
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY THERMAL RESIDENT JESS SANCHEZ PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NO. 2 - OPPOSED TO LOSS OF ACCESS TO CORAL MOUNTAIN OPEN LAND