Council affirms planning commission, lets Desert Hot Market seek distilled‑spirits license

The Desert Hot Springs City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to affirm the planning commission’s December decision approving Conditional Use Permit 25‑9 and a finding of public convenience or necessity for Desert Hot Market to obtain an ABC Type 21 off‑sale license for distilled spirits.

Associate Planner Eva Lada summarized staff’s report, saying the project site at the southwest corner of Palm Drive and Buena Vista is in a mixed‑use corridor and that the store currently holds a Type 20 license for beer and wine. Lada also said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, section 15301 (existing facilities), and that no schools, parks or religious institutions are located within the 500‑foot radius identified in local code section 17.12.0.198.

Richard Duffel, speaking on behalf of appellant Adnan Greer, urged council to overturn the planning commission’s approval. “We respectfully submit it does not,” Duffel said, arguing the corridor is already saturated with alcohol outlets and that upgrading from beer and wine to distilled spirits changes the intensity of use and potential secondary impacts.

Community speakers raised similar concerns about concentration of liquor outlets and neighborhood impacts. Deacon Corey Myers, who lived on Buena Vista, told the council he had observed “young people traveling down the street with alcohol containers” and urged denial.

Applicant representative Graciela Green said the proposed Type 21 would replace an existing Type 20 license and therefore would not increase the number of licenses in the census tract. “People are not gonna stop drinking,” she said; “this is more so not so much about the community or the crimes or homeless. It’s a clean store.” Green noted the police department did not oppose the permit and that the planning commission approved it 4–1 on Dec. 9, 2025.

Council members repeatedly said they respect the planning commission's role and the staff's review. After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Voss moved to affirm the planning commission’s decision; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The council’s action affirms the planning commission’s findings and adopts the attached resolution, enabling the applicant to proceed with ABC processes for the Type 21 license. No additional conditions were recorded in the council’s motion beyond the planning commission and staff findings.

Next steps: the applicant may proceed with ABC licensing processes and any required local compliance; the council record will include the resolution that upholds CUP 25‑9.