Palm Springs Locals Send in Public Comments to City Council

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 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

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🚨UPDATE! Out-of-Town Developer Proposes 98 HOMES on a 22 Acre Wildlife Refuge🚨

 

Map of Proposed Site Plan- This is not an exaggeration it's the literal site plan submitted🤯

I got my public records request back- let's get started.

Meet the out-of-town developer, Steve Sheldon, who is riding into OUR TOWN and proposing a 98-home subdivision that would fundamentally alter our neighborhood and devastate the wildlife population that has relied on this land as a refuge for over half a century.

Developer STEVE SHELDON, CEO of SHELDON DEVELOPMENT

This is their calculation to overcome the current zoning with high density zoning

Oh how cute, they want concessions and incentive waivers.
Here is an incentive for them- get out of our town and I will stop exposing you.

If you're not on the email list make sure to sign up, I have sent these records to everyone on our list.

Be sure to speak up to local elected officials and city leaders which can be found here.

As of now, the only LOGICAL solution is to REZONE the 18 acre parcel with PRESERVATION status.

Madelyn & Kenneth Hinsvark curated their 18 acre parcel as a wildlife refuge for half a century. Generations of wildlife have adapted to this safe haven that extends from the mountain down the wash.
We have co-existed with wildlife peacefully, but now a DEVELOPER plans to destroy this.

Steve Sheldon Proposal for Landlocked Wildlife Habitat Parcel of Land🤦🏼‍♀️

Main Access Road would be a literal FIRE ZONE? 😂

Has he read the updated CEQA 2025 Statute and Guidelines?

Given the overlapping regional connections between the developer and some local officials, we believe transparency and full disclosure are essential to ensure that our city’s decision-making is impartial and accountable.

This is all allegedly and in my opinion.

🚨HUGE SECURITY RISK- Fern Canyon Drive Slated as Access Road for New Development?

This seems so stupid, who would sign off on this?

Even though the 4 acre home (red outline) and 18 acre lot (blue outline) are owned by separate trusts, they are being sold together seemingly because the house would be one of the access roads to the proposed development, the only other entry being Fern because Belardo access is blocked by Indian Land.

These are the parcels surrounding the proposed development, which illustrate why Fern and La Mirada are the only access roads for the proposed development, allegedly.

A new housing development would require additional access roads, and that Ramon Road, Fern Canyon Drive & La Mirada are about to become MUCH more busy.

🚨This seems like a HUGE safety risk in the event of an evacuation, for 90 additional homes to inundate these small neighborhood streets, which are not meant to sustain that level of traffic.

Even more concerning, our BIGHORN SHEEP gather at the base of the Lykken Trail at the end of Ramon at La Mirada-- One must ask, WHO in their right minds actually thinks that this is okay?

There are speed bumps all along Ramon to protect the animals and hikers for a REASON.

If this is a concern, be sure to email City Planning!

Subject: Opposition to 22 Acre Development, & Turning Fern Canyon into a Main Access Road

To: 

planning@palmspringsca.gov

cityclerk@palmspringsca.gov 

Scott.Stiles@palmspringsca.gov

Noriko.Kikuchi@palmspringsca.gov

David.Ready@palmspringsca.gov

Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov

Christopher.Hadwin@palmspringsca.gov

Dear Members of the Planning Department,

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.

It is my understanding that Fern Canyon Drive & La Mirada would then be slated as an access road which I vehemently oppose. 

These roads are not suitable to handle an influx of traffic in an evacuation situation, not only that but also the PROTECTED bighorn sheep gather at the end of Ramon & La Mirada, where the Lykken Trail head is.

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, 
[Your Name] 
[Neighborhood or Community Name] 
Palm Springs, CA