Planning Commission approves small champagne bar tied to bookstore at 2481 N. Palm Canyon Drive with conditions

The Palm Springs Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a conditional use permit for a small champagne bar operating inside a bookstore at 2481 North Palm Canyon Drive, allowing a 248-square-foot bar with 10 seats to operate in conjunction with a bookstore seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m., subject to conditions set by staff and the commission.

The permit matters because the property is legally nonconforming to current general-plan and C-1 zoning standards, lacks required off-street parking and a trash enclosure, and sits across an alley from residences. Commissioners and neighbors pressed the applicant and staff on parking, trash handling, lighting and hours of operation before voting to approve the permit with additional conditions.

Staff described the proposal as a conditional use application by On Table Media LLC to operate a small bar adjacent to a bookstore inside a two‑story, unoccupied commercial building on the southwest corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and West Racquet Club Road. Staff said the property was built in 1964 and presently exceeds the general-plan floor-area-ratio limit (reported site FAR 0.56 vs. allowable 0.50) but that no expansion is proposed. Staff recommended approval subject to standard conditions, including: Director approval of a…