The Rancho Mirage City Council unanimously approved a proposed 16‑lot single‑family subdivision north of the intersection of Mirage Cove Drive and Peterson Road during its Dec. 4 meeting.

Planning manager Ben Torres told the council the 19.81‑acre project (EA24‑0009, VAR24‑005, TTM24‑0003/TTM38971) had been revised since its Nov. 6 hearing. Key changes include reclassifying Peterson Road, Nielsen Road and Mirage Cove Drive east of Peterson Road from public to private streets, reducing a previously proposed 46‑foot right‑of‑way south of Lot 7 to a 15‑foot trail corridor, removing prior curb‑and‑gutter conditions for the proposed private streets, and adding conditions that require access to the Butler Abrams Trail and maintenance obligations be spelled out in covenants, conditions and restrictions.

Torres told the council staff prepared a mitigated negative declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 20250708) and recommended approval of the environmental finding, the minor variance related to residential estate minimum lot size, and the tentative tract map subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report.

Several nearby residents spoke in favor of the project during public comment, citing the developer’s responsiveness and a shared interest in preserving the neighborhood’s quiet, equestrian‑friendly character. Vicky Peterson emphasized keeping roads “less traveled” and preserving horseback and walking access to trails; Janine Barr thanked staff for outreach and expressed support; Jack Swanson asked staff to remove tamarisk trees and clean areas adjacent to the project. Planning commissioner Murray Bryant said he was speaking as a private resident and urged the council to preserve the neighborhood’s unique qualities while allowing compatible development.

Council members emphasized compromise between protecting neighborhood character and increasing housing supply. Council member Weil moved to file the mitigated negative declaration (SCH 20250708), approve VAR24‑005 and approve TTM24‑0003 subject to the conditions in the staff report; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0. Council members confirmed the removal of tamarisk was a condition of approval.

Next steps: the subdivision will proceed under the approved tentative map and the conditions of approval, including maintenance responsibilities and trail access. Specific architectural and landscape plans were not part of the approval and will come later under separate review.