Coachella council approves Bella Canto paving contract amid resident-privatization questions

The City Council voted Feb. 25 to award a construction contract to pave Bella Canto (project ST-132) using a mill-and-overlay approach where engineering review showed pavement depths sufficient to avoid full-depth replacement.

City engineering staff told the council many streets in the neighborhood were thick enough (4–5 inches in some places) to be treated with a mill-and-overlay rather than a full rebuild, which reduces cost and shortens construction time for residents. “We’re actually able to do this neighborhood as a mill and overlay rather than a full replacement, which does save a lot of money on the total project and it’s much more convenient to the residents,” staff said.

During the discussion several council members raised a separate issue: whether the city should survey Bella Canto residents about forming an HOA or vacating the public right of way and installing gates. Legal staff explained vacating public streets and transferring infrastructure to an HOA requires a formal process under state street and highway law, public hearings and a ballot process; staff warned that paving the streets before any transfer would raise the acquisition cost for residents.

Council Member (speaker 3) recused themself from the Bella Canto vote, citing a family member employed by the contractor. The remainder of the council moved, seconded and approved the contract award by roll call.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with the contract award and continue standard neighborhood outreach (door hangers, signage and community meetings) to notify residents of the construction schedule. Council asked staff to keep communication channels open about the neighborhood’s earlier interest in privatization, while noting that any move to vacate public right-of-way would require a separate, formal process and majority resident support.