Save Our Desert

🚨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.

Who is Developer STEVE SHELDON & Why is He in OUR TOWN? 🤔

Question:

Why is Steve Sheldon, an out-of-town developer, pursuing a large-scale project targeting our neighborhood, rather than in areas where he has an established track record?

Source: https://sheldongrp.com/

👀

Source: https://www.facebook.com/stoptherezoning/

"Orange County Water District director Steve Sheldon mocks transparency at a committee meeting several years ago."

Source: https://socalwaterwars.substack.com/p/ever-been-to-your-local-water-board

"Steve Sheldon's Unethical Culture Challenged by Legal Complaint"

Source: https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2014/12/steve-sheldons-unethical-culture-challenged-by-legal-complaint/

"He also, perhaps inadvertently, included an email from one of his sister’s lawyers that called him “unscrupulous” and “a schmuck,” according to court records."

Source: https://www.ocweekly.com/lou-sheldon-traditional-values/

"...allegedly discovered Sheldon's reputation with the City was less than stellar."

Source: https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/632d36c144e14c0a066101b4

"Developer Accused of Bullying as his Plans to Reimagine Westminster's Civic Center Drag On"

"Instead, an internal memo labelling Sheldon's behavior as "hostile" and "aggressive" toward those tasked with holding him to his project commitments is causing distress among the public over what kind of deal, exactly, the city has gotten itself into."

Source: https://voiceofoc.org/2020/12/developer-accused-of-bullying-as-his-plans-to-reimagine-westminsters-civic-center-drag-on/

"...expressed concern regarding Steve Sheldon's character, behavior, and actions..."

Source: https://westminsterca.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=westminsterca_9d3eb0503505559d94efe0214825bf4e.pdf&view=1

Steve Sheldon was spokesperson for Traditional Values Coalition — which was designated an “anti-gay hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center — one might ask why he is choosing to pursue a development in a community like Palm Springs, known for its inclusivity and diversity? 🤦🏼‍♀️🌈

Source: https://x.com/LarryTenney/status/1915791901745103137?s=20

"They (homosexuals) are using the power of the state to garner legitimacy for their lifestyle,"

-Steve Sheldon, spokesman for Traditional Values Coalition

Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/04/30/gays-lesbians-shift-focus-to-civil-rights-and-win/

Big Horn Sheep Need YOU to Be Their Voice

The endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep - an iconic species of the Coachella Valley - relies on uninterrupted access to the lower mountain slopes and natural wash areas for food, water, and safe migration routes.

Development at the base of the mountain threatens to fragment these essential corridors, forcing the animals closer to roadways and residential areas where vehicle collisions and human disturbance are common causes of death.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife classifies the Peninsular bighorn sheep as fully protected, meaning their habitat is not to be disturbed or destroyed without rigorous environmental review.
Protecting this land safeguards one of the last remaining natural linkages between the San Jacinto Mountains and the desert floor - a corridor that has sustained wildlife for centuries.

Weekend Update: Neighbors Have Joined Forces, Signs are Up. See Video.

*Video Update ⬇️⬇️⬇️*

Madelyn Hinsvark Letter to the Editor March 31, 1986- "We need to help save the beauty, charm and uniqueness of our city."

The late Madelyn Hinsvark lived her life serving those without a voice- the animals.

She made her 22 acre home a sanctuary for animals.

Mrs. Hinsvark herself made it known in her Letter to the Editor 40 years ago that overdevelopment was problematic, so WHY is ANYONE allowing the sale of her land to developers- specifically WHY is the Hinsvark Family Trustee allowing this?

Editor, Desert Sun:
We need Bill Kuhlman on the Palm Springs City Council.
We need to help save the beauty, charm and uniqueness of our city.
These attributes are know world-wide, attracting tourists, many of whom have become permanent residents.
Bill does not advocate a no-growth policy but strongly feels the city must slow down the rate of growth and carefully assess the damage and the benefits each new project will cause to the quality of life in Palm Springs.
Do you want the following to continue?:

High-rise buildings.
Uncontrolled traffic.
Council members frequently having to abstain from voting because of special interests.
Inadequate facilities, hours and lack of sufficient personnel in our Animal Shelter.

Bill Kuhlman is the first candidate I have heard express a need to enlarge and improve our Animal Shelter.
The city grows but the Aminal Shelter stays the same as it was 25 years ago.
Bill has been a resident of Palm Springs since 1975. He teaches English and mathematics at Palm Springs High School. He spent 26 years in the United States Navy and retired in 1972 as a lieutenant commander.
Vote for Bill Kuhlman for City Council on Tuesday, April 8.

MADELYN HINSVARK
Palm Springs

Read about their home sanctuary here: https://www.saveourdesert.com/2025/10/madelyn-and-kenneth-hinsvark-were.html

Madelyn Hinsvark's Lifelong Commitment to Animals Includes Humane Society, the Coachella Valley Preserve Nature Sanctuary, Desert Paws, &Animal Samaritans

Madelyn Hinsvark (Right)- The Desert Sun March 3, 1983

Madelyn Hinsvark served as PRESIDENT of the Humane Society of the Desert.

This incredible woman committed her life to protecting animals.

She curated her 22-acre home to be a safe haven for animals.

Why is the Hinsvark Family Trust selling her legacy and everything she worked for, to a developer??

"I cannot stay away from unwanted pets"- Madelyn Hinsvark

This April 26, 1985 Desert Sun article is one of several that have been uncovered which document the Hinsvarks commitment to nature and animals.

Her efforts included involvement with the Humane Society, the Coachella Valley Preserve, and the Animal Samaritans.

QUESTIONS:

Why is her TRUST not honoring her incredible work here in the Valley?

Would Madelyn want her home sold to DEVELOPERS when she is documented in The Desert Sun saying the landscaping of her home was curated as a refuge for the animals?

Madelyn Hinsvark Commitment to Animals was LIFELONG- she even wanted it to continue after she passed by leaving $200,000 to Desert Paws (now called Advancing the Interests of Animals), for no-cost spaying and neutering services.

Court Records from Riverside Superior Court

What is FERN GARDEN ANNEX?

The 22 acre lot is divided into 2 parcels, the 18 acre parcel belongs to the Hinsvark Family Trust and also Fern Garden Annex. We will look into this, but please reach out if you are familiar with what Fern Garden Annex is.

The late Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark curated their 22 acre parcel as a refuge for wildlife for the past 4 decades, according to Desert Sun March 3, 1978

"Landscaping has been done with care for the creatures of the outdoors since the Hinsvarks are nature lovers"

For the past at least FORTY SEVEN YEARS, this 22 acre parcel of land has been PROTECTED and CURATED as a REFUGE for wildlife...

but now, suddenly, all those animals who have learned for generations that this land between the mountain and wash was safe-- will now be DISPLACED and DIE?

All due to the trust selling to a DEVELOPER?
Which seems the exact OPPOSITE of what the late Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark intended?

An archived Desert Sun news article profile from March 3, 1978 noted that the Hinsvark home

"...seems to belong so much to the desert that coveys of quail and scurrying rabbits thrive in the sagebrush and song birds send their cheery notes heavenward, undisturbed."

Word around the neighborhood is that Mr Hinsvark used to call his 22 acre parcel of land a 'dog park' and never intended for it to be developed.

It seems that Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark loved nature, so I cannot imagine they would be too happy to learn the trustees are allegedly selling their 22 acres to a developer?

It's things like this that make one wonder what the Hinsvark Trust & Hinsvark Marital Trust instructs about this property?🤔

Is the executor honoring the intent of the trust?

Maybe the executor needs to do some reading on who Madelyn and Kenneth Hinsvark were and what they would have wanted.

This article is available online, they should start there.

See article here: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19780303.2.86&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------

Our Resident Bobcat Needs You, And You need HER Too!

Bobcats play a crucial ecological role in desert ecosystems. Even though they’re elusive and relatively small predators, their presence helps keep the desert land balanced and healthy.

Here’s why they’re important:

🦴 1. Population Control (Predator Balance)

Bobcats are mid-level predators (mesopredators) that help regulate populations of rodents, rabbits, and other small animals.
Without them, prey species can overpopulate, leading to overgrazing and vegetation loss, which destabilizes soil and increases erosion — especially harmful in fragile desert environments.

🌾 2. Protecting Vegetation and Soil Health

By controlling herbivore populations, bobcats indirectly protect native desert plants like creosote, mesquite, and cacti.
Healthy vegetation means better soil retention and reduced desertification (the spread of barren land).

🦉 3. Supporting Biodiversity

Predators like bobcats maintain a trophic cascade — a chain reaction that supports balance among species.
Their hunting patterns create opportunities for scavengers (ravens, coyotes, beetles) and help maintain a diverse food web.

🪶 4. Indicator of Ecosystem Health

Because bobcats need a stable prey base and safe habitat, their presence signals that the desert ecosystem is functioning well.
If bobcat populations decline, it’s often a red flag that the land is under stress from development, habitat loss, or pollution.

🏜️ 5. Natural Pest Control

Bobcats help limit disease-carrying rodents (like pack rats and ground squirrels) that thrive near human settlements.
This natural control benefits both people and wildlife, reducing the need for poisons and traps that can harm other desert animals.

💔 6. Impact of Losing Them

When bobcats are driven out by development:

Rodent populations spike → vegetation loss → erosion → degraded habitat.
The food chain collapses upward — fewer predators means more imbalance for everything from owls to mountain lions.
The desert becomes less resilient to drought and climate change.