ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION
Resolution No. _____
RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CALIFORNIA DENYING THE APPEAL BY WILLIAM GORDON PHILIPS
AND LINDA AND CYROUS SACKET AND UPHOLDING THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DECISION FOR THE APPROVAL OF A MAJOR
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT EIGHTY-TWO (82) 100%
AFFORDABLE APARTMENT UNITS PER SECTION 93.23.17 OF THE
PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE FOR A DENSITY BONUS ON A 4.05- ACRE UNDEVELOPED PARCEL LOCATED AT 305 WEST SAN RAFAEL
DRIVE. (CASE DP 2025-0011)
A. Red Tail Acquisitions LLC, (“Applicant”) applied with the City pursuant to Section
94.04.01(D) of the Palm Springs Zoning Code (PSZC) for a Major Development Permit; and Section 93.23.17 – Density Bonus for the construction of an eighty-two (82) 100% affordable apartment complex on an undeveloped 4.05-acre parcel.
B. On November 18, 2025, a public meeting was held to review a Major Development Permit application by the Planning Commission in accordance with applicable law.
C. On November 18, 2025, the Planning Commission reviewed and voted 7-0 (Weremiuk, Miller, Murphy, Aylaian, Rotman, Morrill, Baker) to approve a Major Development Permit and Density Bonus for the 100 % affordable apartment complex with conditions as the project is in conformance with the General Plan, Zoning and development standards.
D. On December 1, 2025, William Gordon Philips and Linda and Cyrous Sacket filed an appeal to the City Council of the November 18, 2025, decision to approve Cases DP 2025-0011 in accordance with applicable law.
E. The City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence presented in connection with the meeting on the Project, including but not limited to the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
F. Pursuant to Section 94.04.01(D) of the Palm Springs Zoning Code (PSZC) for a Major Development Permit the following findings are made by the City Council:
1. The proposed project is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan;
The proposed development will consist of eight-two (82) affordable apartment units located in the area designated as Mixed Use (MU) per the General Plan with a maximum density of 15 units per acre and located in the Tramview Heights Specific Plan which designates the parcel for multi-family residential. The MU designation allows for residential developments that is properly integrated and allows the implementation of development standards that are customized to each site to include Resolution No. _____
an increase with a Density Bonus. The proposed project is for 100% affordable development for very low-, and low-income residents as the site design reflects the intended housing product.
In addition, the General Plan Housing Element states:
Goal LS3 –Facilitate and encourage a broad range of rental and ownership opportunities, housing products, and community supportive services for people with special needs:
Policy HS3.1 -Support the development of accessible and affordable senior rental housing, assist seniors to maintain and improve their homes, and support the provisions of senior services:
Policy HS3.3 -Increase the supply of affordable and accessible housing suitable to the semi-independent living needs of people with disabilities, provide assistance to people with disabilities to maintain and improve their homes:
Policy HS3.5 -Support collaborative partnerships of nonprofit organizations, the development community, and the City of Palm Springs to provide affordable housing:
Policy HS3.6 -Assist and support, were feasible, in the production and conservation of housing affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.
Consistency Review: The proposed project utilizing the Density Bonus section of the zoning code to allow greater density, height, and reduction of off-street parking results in a project that meets the intent of the MU designation and further advances the goals and policies of the Housing Element.
2. The proposed uses are in conformance to the uses permitted in the zone district where the site is located, and are not detrimental to adjacent properties or residents; The proposed project is requesting the implementation of the Density Bonus section of the zoning code for increased density, building height, and reduction of off-street parking. The site is adequately sized to accommodate the proposed apartment complex with parking and site amenities. The subject parcel is in an infill lot with all utilities, access to streets, and will be an appropriate housing transition from the industrial warehouse to the north and the single-family residential lots to the south and will not be detrimental to adjacent properties and the finding has been met.
3. The proposed project is in conformance to the property development standards for the zone district where the site is located;
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The proposed project is requesting the implementation of a Density Bonus for a 100% affordable project with increased density, building height, and reduction of off-street parking per Section 93.23.17 of the PSZC as follows:
Height – The project proposes heights above those typically allowed in the R-2 zone. The R-2 zone permits heights of 24 feet, and the proposal includes heights of 31.3’ feet for a portion of all three buildings. Section 93.23.17(F) permits up to an 11-foot increase in the allowable height.
Density- The Mixed Use (MU) General Plan land use designation has a maximum density of 15 dwelling units per acre while the proposed project is requesting a density of 19.2 dwelling units per acre which is permitted for a 100% affordable project.
Off-Street Parking – The project proposes a reduction of twenty-one (21) spaces for a total provided of 137 spaces. A density bonus incentive for low and very low- income housing projects near a major transit stop can request reduced parking.
With the granting of the request the project will meet the property development standards for the R-2 zoning district and the finding has been met.
4. The proposed height and massing of the project is consistent with applicable standards and compatible with adjacent development;
The proposed three apartment buildings with the height of the third floor at 31.3’ feet tall while the second-floor height is 20.2’ feet. This condition provides for varying roof lines and heights for the building elevation that lessens the massing and scale.
Building 2 will be setback seven (7) feet from Buildings 1 and 3 which softens the overall streetscape providing interest and presence on the street. The massing and building heights are of good composition and will be consistent and to scale for a 100% affordable housing complex and the finding has been met.
5. The proposed setbacks and placement of the building are consistent with applicable standards and consistent with setbacks of adjacent buildings; The proposed setbacks for Buildings 1 & 3 will be twenty-five (25) feet and Building 2 at thirty-two feet, one inch (31.1’) from the front property lines along W. San Rafael Drive consistent with the R-2 zoning. The off-street parking located behind the apartment buildings with shade structures is a good site plan placement. The use of internal speed control elements within the parking lot by having raised humps in a paver material as pedestrian walkways leading from the parking to the apartment buildings. In addition, a slight “off-set” in the parking lot at the east end will visually signal that speeds along the driveway should be low. The overall site design meets the development standards, and the finding has been met.
6. The site for the proposed project has adequate access to streets and highways properly designed and improved to carry the type and quantity of traffic to be generated by the proposed uses, and the design for the site plan enhances or Resolution No. _____
continues the city’s existing grid in accordance with the Circulation Plan of the General Plan;
The site is flat with frontage on three streets of W. San Rafael Drive, Virginia Drive, and Puerto Del Sol. Two ingress/egress points into the complex will be from the two side streets with no access along W. San Rafael Drive. The eighty-two (82) unit apartment complex with reduced off-street parking as the project is located near a transit point will not generate traffic that cannot sufficiently maintain current traffic flow on surrounding street networks. The project will require the widening of W. San Rafeal Drive, Virginia Drive, and Puerto Del Sol to include curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.
Adjacent streets are at their full built width and are sufficient to accommodate anticipated vehicle trips generated by the residents of the community and the finding has been met.
7. On-site circulation conforms to minimum standards, and accommodation is made for safe on-site pedestrian circulation;
The ingress/egress points into the off-street parking lot will be from Virgina Drive and Puerto Del Sol as the internal driveway will be twenty-six (26) feet wide allowing two- way vehicle movements with parking on both sides. Traffic calming will be implemented to slow vehicles within the complex, allowing pedestrians to navigate into the buildings and the finding has been met.
8. Landscape areas and open space are in conformance to applicable standards, and the design of stormwater management features are appropriately integrated with other elements of the site design;
The proposed landscape plan shows enhanced plantings along the street frontage of W. San Rafael Drive with the use of 36” box Tipu Trees, Rosewood, Palo Verde, Acacia, and new large Washingtonian Filifera palm, and Mediterranean Fan Palms.
Other plantings include desert accents, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers. The use of multiple plants will provide varying heights, colors, and textures which is incorporated at the dog park, playground, and gathering spaces. The proposed plant palette consists of the plant materials that are included in the Lush and Efficient landscape gardening book and meets the requirements. The Architectural Advisory Committee (ARC) will review the final landscape plan.
9. Public infrastructure, such as water, sewer, and similar utilities, is adequate to serve the proposed project;
The project is considered an in-fill development with utility infrastructure existing in the adjacent streets. There is adequate public infrastructure for the proposed project; water will be provided by the Desert Water Agency (DWA), the complex to be connected to the City sewer system and electricity to the site from Southern California Edison. Therefore, the project will be served by existing public infrastructure.
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10. Based on environmental review, the proposed project either has no potentially significant environmental impacts, any potentially significant impacts have been reduced to less than significant levels because of mitigation measures incorporated in the project, or a Statement of Overriding Considerations has been adopted to address unmitigated significant environmental impacts;
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt under CEQA Section 153032 (In-Fill Development) – the proposed development is located within an urbanized area of the city and less than 5-acres in size, has no value for wildlife habitat as the parcel has been previously graded, and the site is served by existing utilities and services which qualifies this project as an In-Fill development.
11. The proposed project has no unacceptable adverse effects on public welfare, health or safety.
The proposed eight-two (82) unit residential apartment project with associated amenities will not have an adverse effect on public welfare, health or safety. The development of 100% affordable housing development for very low-, and low-income residents advances the goals of the City’s Housing Element and the finding has been met.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the foregoing Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the project is Categorically Exempt under CEQA Section 153032(a-e) (In-Fill Development) – The project is (a) consistent with the General Plan, (b) is less than five (5) acres in size; (c) has no value as habitat for endangered species; (d) there will be no significant impacts to air quality, water, traffic, or noise; (e) and can be adequately served by existing utilities and public services.
SECTION 3. That the City Council hereby denies the appeal by William Gordon Philips, and Linda and Cyrous Sacket and upholds the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a Major Development Permit, and Density Bonus for the development of eighty- two (82) 100% affordable apartment units on an undeveloped 4.05-acre parcel located at 305 W San Rafeal Drive.
ADOPTED THIS 14TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026.
SCOTT STYLES
CITY MANAGER
Resolution No. _____
ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE
CITY CLERK
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Resolution No. _____
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. ____ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on _______________________, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
BRENDA PREE
CITY CLERK