PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA
Thursday, October 23, 2025
3:15 p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the agenda. No action will be taken.
This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority, and Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.
WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website:
https://palmdesert.zoom.us/ or on the City's YouTube Channel.
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING:
Send your comments by email to: [email protected].
Emails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.
Pages
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE CITY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING ITS
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA)
3 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the City of Palm Desert’s progress towards meetings its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
2.b UPDATE ON THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC PLAN 11 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the final draft of the Palm Desert University Neighborhood Specific Plan (UNSP).
3. ADJOURNMENT
4. PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.
Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Meeting Agendas” at the top of the page.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Michelle Nance
Acting Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session
October 23, 2025
2
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 23, 2025
PREPARED BY: Sijifredo Fernandez, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE CITY’S PROGRESS
TOWARDS MEETING ITS REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION
(RHNA)
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the City of Palm Desert’s progress towards meetings its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is a process mandated by State Housing Law.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) quantifies the need for housing in each jurisdiction for a given planning period. Palm Desert’s RHNA is 2,790 housing units for the 2021- 2029 Planning Period (6th Cycle), at the following breakdown by income level:
Table 1 – 2021-2029 Palm Desert RHNA
Income RHNA
Very Low 675
Low 460
Moderate 461
Above Moderate 1,194
Total 2,790
On March 27, 2025, the City Council authorized that City staff submit the Housing Element Annual Progress Reports (APR) to the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The Housing APR is a staterequired report that outlines annual building activity, housing development applications received, and progress towards achieving a city's RHNA at the end of each calendar year. Below was the update presented, which was current as of January 2025:
Table 2 – 2024 APR Report
Income RH
NA
202
1 202
2 2023 202
4 2025
*
2026 202
7 2028 202
9 Total
Issue
d
Total
Remainin
g
%
Complet
e
Very
Low
675 - 21 406 - 144 - - - - 571 104 85%
Low 460 - 3 204 - 15 - - - - 222 238 48%
Mod. 461 - - 60 - - - - - - 60 401 13%
Above
Mod.
1,19
4 113 428 417 117 187 - - - - 1,262 0 100%
Total 2,79
0 113 452 1,08
7 117 346 - - - - 2,115 743 76%
3 City of Palm Desert
2025 RHNA Update
*Permits issued as of 10/10/2025
Table 3 – 2024 APR Entitlement Report
Project Vesta Arc* Shadow Ridge Explore* Total Approved Very Low Income - 24 - - 24
Low Income - 15 - - 15
Mod. Income - - - - -
Above Mod. Income 384 1 93 332 810
Total 384 40 93 332 849
*Currently under construction
Table 4 below provides an update on projects currently under entitlement review which will be included in the APR report if they are approved.
Table 4 – Housing Entitlement Status (Under Review)
Project Catavina Portola
Springs
The
Shores
Affirmed
Housing
Total In Review
Very Low Income - - - - -
Low Income - - 150 235 285
Mod. Income - - - 60 60
Above Mod. Income 546 156 390 3 1,095
Total 546 156 540 298 1,440
The City is currently midway through the current RHNA cycle and has prepared a midway check in presentation for Council. The update will include:
- Current status overview
- 2025 Building permit update
- Entitlement projects that would impact RHNA
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no financial impacts associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation
4 RHNA Update
OCTOBER 23, 2025
5 RHNA Allocation
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Adopted RHNA allocation (February 2021)
◦ RHNA allocation notice to regional counties and
each city
- Palm Desert’s Allocation is 2,790 total units
- 1,596 for affordable housing
6 Annual Progress Report
Income RHNA 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 * 2026-
2029
Total
Issued
Total
Remaining
% Complete
Very Low 675 - 21 406 - 144 - 571 104 85%
Low 460 - 3 204 - 15 - 222 238 48%
Mod. 461 - - 60 - - - 60 401 13%
Above
Mod.
1,194 113 428 417 117 187 - 1,262 0 100%
Total 2,790 113 452 1,087 117 346 - 2,115 743 76%
*Permits issued as of 10/10/2025
7 2024 APR Entitlement Report
Project Vesta Arc* Shadow Ridge Explore* Total Approved Very Low Income - 24 - - 24
Low Income - 15 - - 15
Mod. Income - - - - -
Above Mod. Income 384 1 93 332 810
Total 384 40 93 332 849
*Currently under construction
8 2025 Entitlement Review
Project Catavina Portola
Springs
The Shores Affirmed
Housing
Total In Review
Very Low Income - - - - -
Low Income - - 150 235 285
Mod. Income - - - 60 60
Above Mod. Income 546 156 390 3 1,095
Total 546 156 540 298 1,440
9 Next Steps
UNSP update to develop 170-acres
Coordination with Economic Development on
City controlled properties
Provide annual update with improved metrics
through Clariti
10
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 23, 2025
PREPARED BY: Carlos Flores, AICP, Deputy Director of Development Services SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE UNIVERSITY
NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC PLAN
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the final draft of the Palm Desert University Neighborhood Specific Plan (UNSP).
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The UNSP, adopted in November 2016, established conceptual land uses and zoning for approximately 400 acres located north of Frank Sinatra and east of Portola, adjacent to the university campuses. Several areas of the UNSP have been developed with residential and open space land uses or are entitled for non-residential land uses. Approximately 170 acres within the UNSP are vacant and controlled by the Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency (SARDA).
On March 9, 2023, the City Council adopted goals, including a goal to gather community input, design, and build a community and regional park in North Palm Desert within the SARDA portion of the designated UNSP area. On November 16, 2023, the Council awarded Contract No.
C46680 to Interwest Consulting Group to update the UNSP and plan future land uses for the remaining 170 acres, including park space, community facilities, residential (including a minimum of 220 affordable units), and commercial uses.
Since early 2024, the consultant has prepared two (2) draft land use concepts showing alternative placements of a regional park, as well as residential and commercial land uses, to present to the community for feedback during an outreach meeting. The consultant analyzed the feedback and collaborated with City staff to finalize a land use plan for the 170-acre vacant site.
City staff will be presenting an update on the UNSP, including:
Final draft UNSP Amendment Land Uses Plan, including park location options and land use options identified in the Specific Plan.
Implementation of the UNSP
Next steps for completion of the UNSP document, anticipated by December 2025.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this action. 11 City of Palm Desert
UNSP Update
ATTACHMENTS:
1. UNSP Amended Land Use Plan
2. Presentation
12 13
14 UNSP Update
CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 23, 2025
10/23/2025 1
15 Background
UNSP, adopted in November 2016, planned for
~400 acres located north of Frank Sinatra and east
of Portola, adjacent to the university campuses.
Approximately 170 acres are vacant and
controlled by the Successor Agency to the Palm
Desert Redevelopment Agency (SARDA).
On November 16, 2023, the Council awarded
Interwest Consulting Group to update the UNSP
and plan future land uses for the remaining 170
acres, including park space, community facilities,
residential (including a minimum of 220 affordable
units), and commercial uses.
10/23/2025
2 16
Public Process
10/23/2025 3
17 10/23/2025
4 18
10/23/2025 5
Final Land Use Plan
Land Use Zone
Approximate
Land Use Area
(Acres)
Summary Land Use Description
Maximum
Residential Yield
(DU's)
Maximum NonResidential Yield
(SF)
RESIDENTIAL
Neighborhood Low (NL) 80.0 4-10 DU's / acre 800 0
Neighborhood Medium (NM) 66.0 10-20 DU's / acre 1,320 0 Neighborhood High (NH) 18.0 20-30 DU's / acre 540 0
MIXED-USE / COMMERCIAL
Mixed-Use Neighborhood Center
(MU-NC) 8.7 professional + medical office 0 118,700
Mixed-Use Town Center (MU-TC) 15.0 max. 35 DUs / acre
+ commercial shopfronts allowed 525 32,600
General Commercial (GC) 12.3 max. .50 FAR 0 267,800
OTHER
Public Facility (PF) 4.5 potential community center and/or library / max .35 FAR 0 68,600
Open Space 94.3 22-acre park;
parks and water resource management 0 0
Public Right-of-Way 98.3 roadways 0 0
YIELD TOTALS 397.1 3,185 478,800
19 Next Steps
10/23/2025
1) Complete CEQA Review
2) Refine draft text
3) PC and CC Approval – end of 2025
6 20