Save Our Desert

How To Help

Send an email to Palm Springs Planning with this easy template!

Subject: Opposition to Housing Development in Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood

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

zoneps@palmspringsca.gov

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.

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

More Ways to Help:

Tell The Trustees of the Hinsvark Family Estates to NOT SELL The Land To DEVELOPERS! Sell it to the Neighbors!

Kenneth Jenkins (760) 773-5054

Contact the Developer Steve Sheldon!

steve@sheldongrp.com

949-230-7170

Let Realator Candice Johnston from Rosenthal & Associates know we don't want her selling to developers in our neighborhood!

760- 567- 4101

candice58@earthlink.net

Let Palm Springs Planning Commissioners Know We Want to PROTECT Mother Nature!

Staff Liaison:

Christopher Hadwin, Planning Director (760) 323-8245

Planning Commission Members:

Kathy Weremiuk, Chair (Term expires June 30, 2027)
Lauri Aylaian, Vice Chair (Term expires June 30, 2027)
Carl Baker (Term expires June 30, 2026)
Scott Miller (Term expires June 30, 2027)
David Murphy (Term expires June 30, 2026)
Robert Rotman (Term expires June 30, 2026)
John Morrill (Term expires June 30, 2027)
Megan Hernandez, Non-Voting Member (Term expires June 30, 2028)

https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/planning/planning-commission

Stay in Touch!- Sign Up For Updates from SaveOurDesert

Sign Up for Email List!

We will have different calls to action such as sending emails, attending City meetings, and fundraising.

If you are willing to help cover some of the legal fees, please let us know in the message part of the form below. We had a consult and were quoted $650/hour.

Our ultimate goal is to buy the land and preserve it, ideally donate to the Oswit Land Trust.

🚨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,

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

🚨Palm Springs, this is URGENT: 22 Acre Lot in Contingency, Sale Threatens to Displace Wildlife

We are trying to raise funds to preserve the land and meanwhile it appears the sellers have accepted an offer from a developer who will likely turn this area by the wash into high density housing.

The NOISE, destruction of natural habitat, and the devastation these developers bring have made Palm Springs unrecognizable.

Please help stop this transaction from going through.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Send Your Email Today!

The Desert Sun- March 3, 1978- Profile on the Hinsvark property documenting they used their land as a safe haven for wildlife.

Land Use: Agricultural Land

Trust & Trustee Information of the 18 acre lot

Trust & Trustee Information for the 4 acre 770 La Mirada Property

For 50+ years the Hinvarks curated the land as a safe haven for animals, where they are an essential part of the ecological landscape from the mountain in between the washes.

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 lot for the house is needed to be one of the access roads to the proposed development, the only other entry being Fern because Belardo access is blocked by Indian Land.

Protected Bighorn Sheep gather at the end of Ramon by the Lykken Trail, which is slated to be a main access road for new development.

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.

This is from the County Clerk Assessor Records:
Property Type "Agricultural Land- Transitional"

Press Releases

Press Release 1

Local Residents Launch Campaign to Save 22 Acres of Desert Habitat from Private Development

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A grassroots coalition of Palm Springs residents has launched an urgent campaign to stop a private development deal that threatens 22 acres of desert land — a wildlife refuge that’s been untouched for nearly 50 years.
The parcel, located between La Mirada and Belardo at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, connects the desert floor to the mountain slopes and wash — a critical wildlife corridor for bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, and other native species.
The land, long cared for by local naturalists- the late Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark- is now being sold by the Hinsvark Trust to a private developer, prompting an outpouring of opposition from neighbors and conservationists.
Residents are rallying and looking to raise $8–11 million to make a preservation-based counteroffer and place the land in a trust for permanent protection. The movement — Save Our Desert — has already mobilized the entire Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, where signs line Ramon Road, Fern Canyon Drive and La Mirada.
You can find photos and more information at SaveOurDesert.com

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Press Release 2

Local Residents Launch Campaign to Save 22 Acres of Desert Habitat from Private Development

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A fast-growing grassroots coalition of Palm Springs residents has launched a campaign to protect 22 acres of desert habitat currently in escrow with a private developer. For nearly half a century, this land — located between La Mirada and Belardo in the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood — has served as a critical wildlife refuge at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Once lovingly maintained by the late Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark, documented lifelong naturalists who transformed their property into a haven for native species, the parcel now faces irreversible loss. If the Hinsvark Trust sells this land for residential construction, advocates warn, the fragile ecosystem that supports bighorn sheep, bobcats, burrowing owls, nighthawks, and other desert wildlife will be permanently disrupted.

“This land has been a living sanctuary for generations of desert animals. If development moves forward, there’s no alternative refuge for these species — they’ll be displaced or die. We’re fighting to make sure that doesn’t happen.”- SaveOurDesert.com

Ecological Significance

The property forms a vital wildlife corridor linking the desert floor with the San Jacinto slopes and wash. Conservationists note that bighorn sheep, a fully protected species under California law, rely on this area for foraging and migration. Development could block natural pathways and force animals into roads and neighborhoods — a leading cause of mortality for the species.

Bobcats, another keystone predator, help maintain ecological balance by controlling rodent populations. Their disappearance could set off chain reactions of overgrazing, erosion, and loss of native vegetation.

Community Opposition

The proposed development has sparked broad opposition throughout the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood. Signs now line Fern Canyon Drive, La Mirada and Ramon, where residents are united against plans that would convert their residential streets into major access routes for the project.

Preservation Effort Underway

The coalition is urgently seeking $8–11 million in donations and funding pledges to make a preservation-based counteroffer and place the land under permanent protection — potentially through the Oswit Land Trust or a similar conservation partner.

Supporters can learn more at SaveOurDesert.com

Animal Sightings From Neighbors- We Live Among Wildlife, Tell Developers to GET LOST.

Big Horn Sheep

See More Sheep Here

Owl

Bobcat Doing Pest Control

Woodpecker

Pregnant Female Fox Who Had a Baby!

Rare! Two Foxes Spotted Together

Ringtail Drinking Water

Checking the Ringtail (Normally- Do Not Feed!)

More Sheep

Hummingbirds

Bobcat Close-up

Two Bobcats- Sometimes They Hang Out in the Trees!

Bobcat Pest Control in Action

Bighorn Sheep- Don't Let Developer Scare Them Away!

Near Lykken Trail (end of Ramon Road)

Extremely Rare- White Beak Hummingbird! Albinism Pigment Mutation

We are monitoring her closely, this is a very special hummingbird

Skunk looking for bugs

Precious Fox

This bird says no construction please, we feel safe here

We Must Protect Our Wildlife at All-Costs

Protect Your Legacy! Don't Let Your TRUSTEE Sell Your Property to DEVELOPERS!

The wash area off of Belardo near Ramon and back by the mountain, is one of the few untouched land areas that the local wildlife like big horn sheep, bobcats, mountain lions, bunnies, roadrunners, toads, frogs, snakes, skunks, raccoons, ringtails, foxes, birds, etc here can safely call home.

UNTIL NOW.

Word on the street is that a developer is set to buy this land and turn into high density housing.

This is WRONG.

The community should be given a chance to save our wildlife.

IS NOTHING SACRED?

This should have a preservation status and environmental protections.

We will soon give details on how to help in this mission to SAVE our desert and preserve it in the Oswit Land Trust.

Stay tuned.