Please do not approve the potential development of 98 homes near Fern Canyon and La Mirada Rd. We live at 600 S. La Mirada Rd. and love the steady stream of wildlife that travels through our backyard.
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Being a resident here for almost 20 years now, we are very vested in maintaining a vibrant community. With this as our commitment, we are asking the city to reject any application for development of the 22 acres/ parcel of natural land at the end of Fern Canyon Rd and protect it as a safe wildlife corridor.
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I cannot believe I even have to advocate for a wildlife corridor to not be demolished by a developer — but here we are.
While I understand the pressure cities face from the state to meet housing thresholds, this particular 22-acre landlocked parcel is not an appropriate candidate for development.
It is an active wildlife corridor between the mountain and the wash, and it should be preserved, especially given it’s adjacent to preserved land.
Generations of wildlife- bobcats, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep- have consistently used this land as refuge and passage.
Because the parcel is landlocked, development would require plowing new access roads through Fern Canyon and La Mirada. La Mirada is essentially a bighorn sheep crossing.
Adding traffic from 98 homes would almost certainly displace the herd and put a federally protected species at risk or worse.
The Lykken Trailhead at Ramon and La Mirada already brings heavy foot traffic, and that area would be overwhelmed by vehicle congestion.
Developers- especially out-of-town developers with no roots in our town- should not be allowed to exploit affordable housing incentives or loopholes as a shield to destroy established wildlife habitat and corridors; decimating the spirit and landscape of our neighborhood. Once a corridor is severed, it’s permanent. The animals do not come back.
At minimum, a full Environmental Impact Report should be required for any proposed development here. And I want to be clear: an EIR would show exactly what we already know- that the environmental impacts are severe, unmitigable, and incompatible with responsible planning.
The wildlife can’ t vote or stand here at this podium to beg you to protect their homes, but we can.
And we have committed to being their voice and protecting their habitat. Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor has secured 501(c)(3) sponsorship and we are actively working toward purchasing and preserving this land ourselves.
We’ re asking for your partnership. Please tell us what you need from us to help you protect this land and the animals that call Palm Springs home.
Thank you.
I'm writing to register my strong opposition to the housing development proposed for the 22-acre tract of land south of Ramon, at the base of the mountains.
Like many others in our community, I am STRONGLY opposed to the proposed housing development Steve Sheldon of Orange County) is planning to build in the middle of the Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor.
I am writing to express my opposition to a housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
This critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space.
Further development in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals, intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city. The area is adjacent to sacred Indian tribal land and new construction would destroy the legacy that ancestors left us. Putting development and dollars ahead of livability and legacy must stop.
Additionally, traffic on Fern Canyon Drive would increase with 98+ homes/ households using Fern Canyon Drive as a means of ingress and egress, creating a traffic and safety issue for residents and wildlife.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to a proposed housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
Among other things, the critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space. This open space and natural landscape is a primary reason we chose to live here in Palm Springs and in the Historic Tennis Club.
Further development as proposed in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals, intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city.
Futhermore, the additional volume and traffic patterns, impact to views, privacy
and safety concerns this excessive new development of 98 homes with stacked density and 394 parking spaces could create would erase many of the exact reasons we chose Skye as a place to call home.
The very idea of a development on this parcel of land; an undisturbed natural habitat, never mind its excessive size and scale, would dwarf everything else in the neighborhood. The proposed development by the Sheldon Group would unequivocally undermine our legal right to Quiet Enjoyment which is well recognized in California law and by the court system. This should NOT be allowed to be cloaked under the guise of a project responsive to the underlying intent of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you so much for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to formally register my firm opposition to the housing development proposed within the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood, specifically targeting the land located between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon Road.
As the retired Director of Education at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, I have dedicated my career to building empathy, fostering understanding, and advocating for the preservation of our desert wildlife and the vital natural places within our community. It is with this professional perspective that I submit my comments.
This location is not merely undeveloped space; it is an essential ecological area at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. It provides vital habitat and a crucial movement corridor for native desert wildlife, including the majestic bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, and numerous migratory bird species.
Developing this sensitive zone will have severe and unacceptable consequences:
It will directly jeopardize these native species.
It will place undue and unsustainable pressure on our already constrained water supply.
It will damage the natural watershed and hydrology of the mountain base.
It will irrevocably destroy a part of the natural heritage and character that defines Palm Springs— a character that is increasingly scarce.
Ifwe,asacommunity, donotstandtoprotectthesewildplaces,thenwhowill?Iurgeyoutoprioritizethelong-term preservation of our environmental integrity.
I formally request that this letter be included in the public record for this proposal. Please ensure I receive timely notification of all scheduled hearings and opportunities for public comment.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your dedication to preserving our community' s environmental future and unique desert setting.
Sincerely,
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to express my opposition to a housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
This critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space.
Further development in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals,
intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city.
Additionally, traffic on Fern Canyon Drive would increase with 98+ homes/ households using Fern Canyon Drive as a means of ingress and egress, creating a traffic and safety issue for residents and wildlife.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
I sent in my written comments for today' s meeting and wanted to add the following media coverage for you that our efforts have garnered thus far.
December 3, 2025: Palm Springs Post https:// thepalmspringspost. com/ proposed- 98-home- development- in-southern- palm- springs- faces- opposition- over- wildlife- concerns/
December 8, 2025: Desert Sun https:// www. desertsun. com/ story/ news/ environment/ 2025/ 12/ 08/ palm- springs- new- homes- wildlife- tahquitz- creek/87611968007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11xx34p119850c119850d00---- v11xx34d--41-- b--41--&gca-ft=140&gca-ds=sophi& tbref=hp
December 9, 2025 (last night) NBC top of the hour prime time news: https://www.saveourdesert.com/2025/12/nbc-palm-springs-coverage-december-9.html
December 10,2025 (Today): Front page of Desert Sun.
This story resonates with many locals, who live here to be among nature.
I want to personally invite every single official who has any say in the future of APN#513250029 to walk the parcel with me.
Thank you
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Sheldon of Orange County) is planning to build in the middle of the Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor.
Along with all the environmental and wildlife havoc it would cause, it's simply another example of an outside interest profiteering at the expense of our community.
AND I know there are other interested entities willing to buy the property and keep it an essential wildlife corridor.
I urge you to turn down Steve Sheldon' s application, and preserve this vital habitat... and our community' s cherished way of living with nature.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I cannot believe I even have to advocate for a wildlife corridor to not be demolished by a developer — but here we are.
While I understand the pressure cities face from the state to meet housing thresholds, this particular 22-acre landlocked parcel is not an appropriate candidate for development.
It is an active wildlife corridor between the mountain and the wash, and it should be preserved, especially given it’s adjacent to preserved land.
Generations of wildlife- bobcats, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep- have consistently used this land as refuge and passage.
Because the parcel is landlocked, development would require plowing new access roads through Fern Canyon and La Mirada. La Mirada is essentially a bighorn sheep crossing.
Adding traffic from 98 homes would almost certainly displace the herd and put a federally protected species at risk or worse.
The Lykken Trailhead at Ramon and La Mirada already brings heavy foot traffic, and that area would be overwhelmed by vehicle congestion.
Developers- especially out-of-town developers with no roots in our town- should not be allowed to exploit affordable housing incentives or loopholes as a shield to destroy established wildlife habitat and corridors; decimating the spirit and landscape of our neighborhood. Once a corridor is severed, it’s permanent. The animals do not come back.
At minimum, a full Environmental Impact Report should be required for any proposed development here. And I want to be clear: an EIR would show exactly what we already know- that the environmental impacts are severe, unmitigable, and incompatible with responsible planning.
The wildlife can’ t vote or stand here at this podium to beg you to protect their homes, but we can.
And we have committed to being their voice and protecting their habitat. Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor has secured 501(c)(3) sponsorship and we are actively working toward purchasing and preserving this land ourselves.
We’ re asking for your partnership. Please tell us what you need from us to help you protect this land and the animals that call Palm Springs home.
Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I'm writing to register my strong opposition to the housing development proposed for the 22-acre tract of land south of Ramon, at the base of the mountains.
As an animal welfare advocate for nearly 20 years, it is deeply troubling to me that this beautiful and essential wildlife corridor is being considered for residential development.
My husband and I have owned homes in Palm Springs since 2005, in large part because of the natural beauty and the open spaces where wildlife can thrive.
Permanently destroying this special part of our City in order to build high- density housing would tragically devastate a space that has been preserved for wildlife for generations.
While I do not oppose development in general, surely there are other desirable but less precious spaces where homes can be built without sacrificing this vital landscape.
I implore our City leaders to do everything within their power to save this beautiful and important natural space from destruction.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Like many others in our community, I am STRONGLY opposed to the proposed housing development Steve Sheldon of Orange County) is planning to build in the middle of the Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor.
Along with all the environmental and wildlife havoc it would cause, it's simply another example of an outside interest profiteering at the expense of our community.
AND I know there are other interested entities willing to buy the property and keep it an essential wildlife corridor.
I urge you to turn down Steve Sheldon' s application, and preserve this vital habitat.. and our community' s cherished way of living with nature.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I am writing to express my opposition to a housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
This critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space.
Further development in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals, intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city. The area is adjacent to sacred Indian tribal land and new construction would destroy the legacy that ancestors left us. Putting development and dollars ahead of livability and legacy must stop.
Additionally, traffic on Fern Canyon Drive would increase with 98+ homes/ households using Fern Canyon Drive as a means of ingress and egress, creating a traffic and safety issue for residents and wildlife.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to a proposed housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
Among other things, the critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space. This open space and natural landscape is a primary reason we chose to live here in Palm Springs and in the Historic Tennis Club.
Further development as proposed in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals, intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city.
Futhermore, the additional volume and traffic patterns, impact to views, privacy
and safety concerns this excessive new development of 98 homes with stacked density and 394 parking spaces could create would erase many of the exact reasons we chose Skye as a place to call home.
The very idea of a development on this parcel of land; an undisturbed natural habitat, never mind its excessive size and scale, would dwarf everything else in the neighborhood. The proposed development by the Sheldon Group would unequivocally undermine our legal right to Quiet Enjoyment which is well recognized in California law and by the court system. This should NOT be allowed to be cloaked under the guise of a project responsive to the underlying intent of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you so much for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to formally register my firm opposition to the housing development proposed within the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood, specifically targeting the land located between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon Road.
As the retired Director of Education at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, I have dedicated my career to building empathy, fostering understanding, and advocating for the preservation of our desert wildlife and the vital natural places within our community. It is with this professional perspective that I submit my comments.
This location is not merely undeveloped space; it is an essential ecological area at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. It provides vital habitat and a crucial movement corridor for native desert wildlife, including the majestic bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, and numerous migratory bird species.
Developing this sensitive zone will have severe and unacceptable consequences:
It will directly jeopardize these native species.
It will place undue and unsustainable pressure on our already constrained water supply.
It will damage the natural watershed and hydrology of the mountain base.
It will irrevocably destroy a part of the natural heritage and character that defines Palm Springs— a character that is increasingly scarce.
Ifwe,asacommunity, donotstandtoprotectthesewildplaces,thenwhowill?Iurgeyoutoprioritizethelong-term preservation of our environmental integrity.
I formally request that this letter be included in the public record for this proposal. Please ensure I receive timely notification of all scheduled hearings and opportunities for public comment.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your dedication to preserving our community' s environmental future and unique desert setting.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Palm Springs City Planning,
I am writing to express my opposition to a housing development in the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood between La Mirada and Belardo, south of Ramon.
This critical area at the base of the mountain supports fragile desert habitat and is vital for native wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other species that depend on undisturbed open space.
Further development in this ecologically sensitive zone would threaten these animals,
intensify pressure on water resources, disrupt hydrology, and erode the natural character that makes Palm Springs unique, and which is becoming scarce in the city.
Additionally, traffic on Fern Canyon Drive would increase with 98+ homes/ households using Fern Canyon Drive as a means of ingress and egress, creating a traffic and safety issue for residents and wildlife.
I ask that my comments be entered into the public record and that I be notified of upcoming hearings or opportunities for public input.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to preserving Palm Springs' environment and quality of life.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
