Palm Springs, CA

A proposal to build a massive warehouse complex on Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Trust land is drawing heightened public concern, prompting calls for more time, greater transparency and direct community engagement before any decisions are made.

The Desert Mountain View Business Park Project, proposed near Interstate 10 and State Route 111, would include four warehouse buildings ranging from 248,000 square feet to 1.14 million square feet, totaling approximately 2.85 million square feet of industrial space. A full project description — including maps, renderings and environmental impact findings — is available on the Tribe’s website at aguacaliente.org/planning-department.

The Tribe has not approved or rejected the development. Instead, Tribal leadership is following its customary process for large projects by gathering input from both the public and the City of Palm Springs before moving forward.

The Tribal–City Review Process

Although Tribal land is not subject to City zoning or planning laws, the Tribe and the City operate under a 1977 agreement establishing a cooperative review framework. Under this agreement, City staff evaluate major proposals on Reservation land, determine how they align with City planning policies, and provide recommendations to address planning, environmental, public-safety and infrastructure concerns.

The agreement reflects both the checkerboard pattern of Tribal and City land ownership in Palm Springs and the fact that the Tribe does not maintain large internal planning, engineering or public-safety departments.

Former Palm Springs City Councilmember Geoff Kors emphasized that the Tribe has historically worked collaboratively with the City and has been receptive to feedback. He described the review process as an important opportunity for residents, agencies and the City Council to weigh in before the Tribal Council makes a final decision.

Under the established sequence, City staff complete a conformity review, the City Council votes on recommendations, and a joint meeting between the City Council and Tribal Council is held unless both sides agree to waive it. Public comment is incorporated throughout. Ultimately, the Tribal Council determines whether the project proceeds, is modified or is not approved.

Calls for Delay and Concerns About Notification

A number of community advocates have expressed concern that City Councilmembers, residents and stakeholders were not informed in the typical manner for a project of this scale, despite City staff having worked on the review for more than a month and the Tribe issuing a public notice roughly two months ago.

Oswit Land Trust and others have asked the City to delay its conformity review vote, arguing that additional time would allow for deeper analysis of environmental, water, air quality, traffic, economic and public-health impacts. Experts familiar with large industrial developments could also offer mitigation recommendations.

Given that the project would be among the largest in Palm Springs history — and that the Tribe’s Environmental Impact Report reportedly indicates certain health impacts cannot be mitigated — advocates say a short delay would help ensure the City’s feedback is as thorough and evidence-based as possible.

Mayor DeHarte Addresses “Misinformation”

Palm Springs Mayor Ron DeHarte issued an email to residents correcting what he called misinformation circulating in the community.

“I’m correcting misinformation that is going around. CITY COUNCIL IS NOT PUSHING THIS ITEM THROUGH,” DeHarte wrote, noting that he learned about the proposed project only the day before sending his message.

He stressed that while residents may email him, their comments “over the next few days will have more impact” if submitted directly to the Tribe, which is accepting written comments only until December 8, 2025.

DeHarte said he has already asked the city manager to request that the Tribe host a community meeting and has inquired about removing the conformity item from the City Council’s December 10 agenda. Still, he emphasized that “the most critical action you can take RIGHT NOW is submitting your formal comments,” calling this the only way to ensure concerns become part of the official record.

Residents are directed to submit written comments to Mark Tristan, Associate Planner for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, at mtristan@aguacaliente-nsn.gov.

Environmental and Health Concerns Drive Advocacy

Oswit Land Trust founder Jane Garrison issued her own urgent appeal, citing the Tribe’s environmental report and warning that the project would result in significant and unavoidable air pollution, thousands of daily truck trips, increased strain on limited water supplies, disruption to the fluvial sand transport system, and major noise, lighting and public-service impacts adjacent to conservation land.

Garrison is urging supporters to advocate for the “No Project” Alternative — one of three options the Tribe is considering — arguing that it is the only option that fully protects the valley’s air quality, natural open space, wildlife habitat and long-term public health. She is also encouraging the Tribe to hold another public meeting, noting that many residents were unaware of a December 1 session.

What Comes Next

As the public comment deadline approaches, both conservation advocates and City leaders are urging residents to participate directly in the Tribal review process. The Desert Mountain View Business Park will remain under evaluation until the Tribe completes its public comment period, reviews input from the City, and the Tribal Council conducts its own deliberations.