Commission approves phased off-site improvements for Indio Gateway, adds two‑year reporting requirement

The Indio Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved an amendment to the Indio Gateway project that phases required off-site improvements along Indio Boulevard and adds a condition requiring the applicant to report back to the commission within two years on progress and a timeline for construction of the remaining work.

Principal Planner Gustavo Gomez described the amendment as a modification to Condition 7 of the project’s approvals. Under the revision, Phase 1 improvements — from the site’s westerly property line to east of Burr Street — must be constructed and accepted by the city prior to the issuance of the first certificate of occupancy. Phase 2 improvements — from east of Burr Street to the east property line — would be required prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for development east of the Quinn Cat pad.

“The proposed amendment is consistent with the final initial study and declaration,” Gomez said, and staff recommended approval of the amendments, including resolutions identified in the staff report.

Taylor Talt, representing Majestic Realty, told the commission the applicant seeks flexibility because the project’s buildout is market driven and lenders require staged security. “Our model is to build, so we’re not a land banking company, we want to build…as soon as the market demands the use, we will break ground,” Talt said. He told commissioners Majestic is actively marketing the east side of the site to retail and light industrial tenants and that work to support the Quinn tenant is already progressing.

City Engineer Juan Dora told commissioners the revised phasing plan avoids a piecemeal strip of incomplete improvements along Indio Boulevard. “Once these improvements are complete, they will be to ultimate. You’ll see…asphalt, curb, gutters, sidewalks, street lights, landscaping,” Dora said.

Commissioners expressed concern about ensuring Phase 2 is built; the commission adopted a staff-proposed condition that the applicant return within two years with a status update and timeline for the remaining improvements. The commission then voted to approve the amendment, recorded in the staff report as resolutions 2120 and 2124 amending the conditional use permit and planning review for the Indio Gateway project. Roll call showed all members present voting yes.

The amendment allows the project to proceed with Phase 1 construction and ties completion of the second phase to future tenant buildout and certificate-of-occupancy triggers; City staff said any future building permits and inspections will ensure the constructed improvements meet city standards.