Desert Hot Springs approves zoning change to allow 120-foot-tall industrial buildings
The Desert Hot Springs City Council approved a zoning change last week that will allow larger buildings in the city's industrial zone, potentially paving the way for large warehouses such as distribution centers.
The zoning amendment increases the allowed building height in the industrial zone from two stories and 50 feet to five stories and 120 feet. The Desert Hot Springs City Council unanimously approved the change at their Jan. 18 meeting, following Palm Springs, which made a similar zoning change on Jan. 13.
In Palm Springs, the change increased the maximum building height in the area near Interstate 10 and North Indian Canyon Drive from 40 feet to 95 feet. The changes in both cities come amid growing demand for warehouse space due to the growing e-commerce industry, prompting developers to look east of the Inland Empire region.
More: Are Inland Empire warehouses moving toward the Coachella Valley?
Noting that Palm Springs recently approved a height increase to 95 feet, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Gardner said, "It's highly important that we stay a step ahead of that," by setting a higher height limit to attract developers.
"If we really, truly want to attract businesses here other than cannabis to diversify our economy and expand our tax base, anything that would resemble a distribution warehouse, they're going to need that height," he continued.
Councilmember Russell Betts expressed concern that the zoning change could result in a five-story industrial building right next to homes, but city staff emphasized that the city's industrial areas are already zoned away from residential areas.
The Planning Commission had recommended that the council approve a maximum height of 100 feet instead of 120 feet. Some of the concerns raised by commissioners included that the buildings would be too tall and the height could obstruct views.
During the Dec. 14 Planning Commission meeting, Deputy City Manager Doria Wilms said the city is starting to see new industries that are not related to cannabis express interest in Desert Hot Springs.
“In talking with some of the developers that have come in and actually met with staff, we’re seeing in the case of distribution facilities, warehousing, that sort of stuff — they have innovative technologies that require more height in each floor for those types of buildings,” Wilms said.
Desert Hot Springs has not yet received any formal applications for projects that would reach 120 feet in height but the city has met with developers, according to Assistant City Manager Daniel Porras. He said the city does not know yet how much tax revenue it would receive from these projects. In making its zoning changes, Palm Springs city officials indicated a large warehouse could bring in tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue annually.
Desert Hot Springs' industrial zoning is primarily located along Little Morongo Road. The industrial area roughly includes parcels to the east of Little Morongo Road north of Dillon Road and south of Desert View Avenue, and to the west of Little Morongo Road south of Dillon Road.
Erin Rode covers the environment for the Desert Sun. Reach her at erin.rode@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @RodeErin.
Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Hot Springs OKs zoning change to allow large industrial buildings
