Rancho Mirage council approves Ritz‑Carlton expansion with construction and safety conditions

The Rancho Mirage City Council on Dec. 18 voted 5‑0 to approve modifications to the long‑planned Ritz‑Carlton Rancho Mirage expansion, adopting the environmental finding and related zoning and parcel actions and introducing a development‑agreement amendment while adding conditions to address neighbor and safety concerns.

Planning Manager Ben Torres told the council the project site sits adjacent to the existing Ritz‑Carlton along Frank Sinatra Drive and is a modification of prior entitlements. "The current project is proposing a total of 106 units," Torres said, and would add about 23,800 square feet of event space and a subterranean parking structure. He also described the Sky Mesa Recreational Area as 3.88 acres of mountain reserve with development limited to about 6,966 square feet so that "the majority of the area, 96% will be dedicated to recreational use."

The plan reduces unit count from earlier approvals, updates architecture, and includes new landscaping and screening adjacent to Murata Estates. Torres also summarized environmental review steps, saying a mitigated negative declaration was circulated in 2024 and the Planning Commission recommended approval earlier this year.

Neighbors and community groups raised safety, traffic and environmental concerns during public comment. Bruce Bauer, an attorney representing Murata Estates, asked that construction traffic be routed to the service road behind the Ritz to avoid congestion and risks on Frank Sinatra Drive and sought a 3‑D rendering to demonstrate view impacts. "The residents of Murata Estates ... don't oppose this project," Bauer said, but urged the council not to approve until impacts are fully mitigated. Environmental and wildlife concerns were voiced by residents including a request from Michael Harrington for a full CEQA review.

Staff and project representatives pushed back on several mitigation proposals as impractical. Ben Torres and City Manager Isaiah Hagerman said the emergency access road is only 20 feet wide, built on steep mountain terrain with drainage and fencing constraints, and "was not designed for typical 2‑way traffic or for construction traffic," making it unsafe for heavy use during construction. Hagerman described a compromise proposed by staff: rather than a full ADA sidewalk that would require substantial grading and utility relocation, the city would lead a restriping and design effort to add a buffered 5‑foot shared‑use/bike lane; the developer would be required to reimburse the city for up to 50% of the design and construction cost subject to city engineer approval.

Hagerman also said staff would accommodate neighbors where feasible on view impacts, noting the project team planned to lower pad levels in places to reduce the visual profile. "They're digging out dirt ... so they're bringing the pad level of these buildings below existing grade," he said, describing slides that illustrate existing grade versus proposed pads.

Labor groups urged the council to require local hiring and prevailing wage conditions. Salvador Mesquita of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters asked that workforce requirements "reduce construction related environmental impacts while benefiting the local economy and developing the workforce." Project proponents, including owner Ronnie Lam, said the expansion would create jobs and generate lodging and event revenues for the valley. "We stand here today to ask the council to approve the second phase," Lam said, noting the property has a long entitlement history.

Councilmembers balanced neighborhood concerns and economic considerations. Councilmember Ted Weil, emphasizing the project's prior approvals and local economic benefits, moved to adopt the required resolutions and introduce the development agreement amendment. Councilmember Downs proposed — and the council adopted — two additional conditions: restrict construction hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (revising the standard 7 a.m.–7 p.m. hours because the project is adjacent to residential uses) and direct staff to study pedestrian/bicycle improvements on Frank Sinatra Drive, including a buffered path the city would design with up to 50% developer reimbursement. The motion carried 5‑0.

What happens next: the council adopted the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and the mitigated negative declaration referenced in staff materials and introduced the development‑agreement amendment for first reading. Additional design work and a staff study of Frank Sinatra Drive are pending as directed by the council.