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ARC approves North Palm Canyon hotel expansion with condition to revise accessibility lift location
Summary
The Architectural Committee approved a multi‑building renovation and expansion of a former Days Inn site on North Palm Canyon Drive but required the project team to revisit the proposed ADA chairlift location for Building B; the vote was unanimous.
The Palm Springs Architectural Committee on Jan. 21 approved a major development permit to renovate and expand a former Days Inn property on North Palm Canyon Drive into a multi‑building hotel and restaurant complex, while asking the applicant to re‑examine the placement of an ADA chairlift serving Building B.
Staff described the 4.23‑acre site plan as a mix of rehabilitated historic buildings and new construction to bring room count to about 179 across Buildings A–E, with new restaurant and lobby frontage on North Palm Canyon Drive. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval on Jan. 13; staff recommended approval to the ARC with conditions, including parking and landscape requirements and an AMM (administrative minor modification) to allow a modest reduction in required parking in order to increase on‑site tree shading.
The applicant, Lance O'Donnell of O2 Architecture, said the design conserves character‑defining Art & Davis facades and improves site circulation and pedestrian conditions by consolidating existing curb cuts (the team reduced curb cuts from five to three). The team also added EV parking spaces and expanded landscaped areas to increase parking shade. “We’re maintaining these historic structures while adding a third new building,” O'Donnell said.
Public commenter Charlie Carno of Unite Here Local 11 urged the committee to revisit the project's categorical exemption and requested additional analysis on open‑space classification, demolition impacts within 30 feet of residences, construction emissions, noise and vehicle‑miles‑traveled. Staff and the applicant said many questions were addressed during Planning Commission review and noted the AMM process and conditions can be used to resolve open‑space counting and similar issues.
The committee largely supported the project but raised specific issues: Commissioner Roseman questioned pool capacity relative to the proposed room count; several members expressed concern about two closely spaced curb cuts at the north driveway and the potential traffic/conflict point; Commissioner Dylan asked that the ADA chairlift at Building B be reconsidered or relocated to provide an equivalent experience for ambulatory and wheelchair users. Dylan moved to approve with the condition that the accessibility lift location be revisited; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously on roll call.
Next steps: staff will finalize conditions of approval and the applicant will respond to follow‑up requests, including any relocation or redesign of the Building B lift and clarification of open‑space calculations where necessary.
