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Council approves easement amendment and land exchange with Renaissance Hotel, including $3 million payment to city
Summary
Council approved a fourth amendment to a 1985 easement and an exchange agreement that conveys roughly 8.6 acres to the city, releases about 6.9 acres to the Renaissance for redevelopment, and includes a $3 million payment and deed restrictions tied to timing and uses.
The Indian Wells City Council unanimously approved a package of transactions with the Renaissance Hotel that city staff and the hotel said will let the resort expand pool and recreation amenities while giving the city fee ownership of key parcels that include the clubhouse, parking and the driving range footprint.
City Attorney Leishman summarized the fourth amendment to a 1985 easement as primarily a governance and cleanup measure, updating party names and clarifying that hotel owners do not control rates for resident golf operations. "I want to be very clear that this 4th Amendment does not change any permitted use or activity," the attorney said.
City staff described the larger exchange terms: the city would receive fee title to approximately 8.6 acres (about 6 acres under the clubhouse, parking lots and driving range), a right-of-way parcel along Indian Wells Lane (about 1.6 acres), and roughly 1 acre of former Hole 18 for a new city parking lot with about 100 striped spaces. In return, Renaissance would receive about 6.9 acres (the former Hole 18) freed from the city easement, allowing the hotel to build expanded pool/recreation amenities.
Renaissance representatives confirmed the hotel will pay a $3,000,000 one-time payment to the city and commit to a timeline for submission and completion of the project; failure to meet the agreed timeline would trigger a $10,000-per-month penalty. City staff also indicated the city will retain deed restrictions on the 6 acres transferred to the city that prevent hotel use for competing transient lodging and that the parking parcel will be restricted to parking use. "This is a win‑win," said David Rotenberg for the Renaissance, thanking council and staff for negotiating what he called a fair exchange.
Council members noted the city’s long-term interest in maintaining the golf resort and the practical parking need; several members described the transaction as a fiscally prudent way to secure critical land and future TOT revenue without immediate city capital outlay. The motion to approve the exchange and accompanying deeds passed unanimously.
