A proposal for a large development in the Coachella Valley, near Joshua Tree National Park, is facing obstacles once again as the planning commission fails to recommend the plan move forward.
"Riverside County Planning Commissioners voted 4-1 [last week] to recommend that the board of supervisors deny plans for Paradise Valley, a proposed 8,400-home development east of Coachella [in Southern California]," reports Gabriella Paluch.
The project was first proposed in 2004, but the planning commission noted numerous issues that the development company has not resolved. "The primary issue — and potentially the costliest — between [the developer] GLC and conservation groups, according to the report, is how the destruction of critical habitat would be mitigated," says Paluch.
Insufficient emergency road access, concerns about affordable housing, and a lack of details about power infrastructure for the project are other issues that the commission cited. “All but one commissioner said they believed there was no path forward to finding a solution, since the developers had been unable to solve problems over years of consultations,” writes Paluch.
FULL STORY: Riverside County planners to supervisors: Deny Paradise Valley, a proposed 'new town' near Joshua Tree
Proposed Rail Project Would Bring Trains from L.A. to Coachella Valley
Riverside County's transportation commission is moving forward with a proposal to bring passenger rail from Los Angeles to Indio.
S.F. Bay Area City Says It Wants More Housing—But Votes Down Project
The project included everything San Bruno and residents asked for, and it would have helped the city make significant progress in addressing its growing housing crisis. Still, it was voted down.
Mayoral Housing Initiative Would Spread Affordable Housing Around D.C.
Planners are expected to play a major role in an ambitious housing initiative proposed by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service