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Council reestablishes golf cart and NEV sales as a land use after safety debate; ordinance passes 4–1
Summary
After extensive questioning about storefront glazing and public‑safety implications, the Palm Desert City Council voted 4–1 to reestablish golf cart and neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) sales in certain commercial and industrial zones while removing earlier glazing and primary‑frontage requirements and setting a tailored parking standard.
The Palm Desert City Council on June 25 approved an ordinance to reestablish golf cart and neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) sales as a distinct land use in specified commercial, downtown and service‑industrial zones, voting 4–1 after a lengthy discussion on safety and design standards.
Senior planner C.E. Fernandez told council staff had identified that prior code language enacted in 2023 was inadvertently removed and that the current amendment would restore the use while removing two provisions staff said had become barriers: the requirement that a business be on a primary frontage and a strict street‑facing glazing requirement. Staff also proposed a tailored parking standard for golf cart/NEV sales to reflect typical service‑industrial parking ratios and retain administrative review through an administrative use permit.
Councilmembers pressed staff about public safety tied to glazing—whether display windows improve visibility and deter theft or introduce other risks—and several asked that the sheriff's office and public‑safety staff be consulted before adopting the change. Councilmember Moreno moved to continue the item for additional public‑safety review; the motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Harnik then moved to approve staffs recommendation; that motion passed 4–1, with Councilmember Moreno voting no.
Councilmembers and staff said the change is intended to remove barriers for businesses seeking to locate in existing vacant retail or industrial buildings while retaining case‑by‑case parking and design review through the administrative permit process.
