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Planning Commission grants two‑year extension for 15‑unit North Sunrise project, citing utility undergrounding delays
Summary
The commission approved a two‑year extension (to July 24, 2028) for a previously approved 15‑unit apartment project at 211 N. Sunrise Way, citing coordination and timeline estimates from Southern California Edison for undergrounding utilities as primary justification; the extension carried conditional expectations for maintenance and timely completion of working drawings.
The Palm Springs Planning Commission on July 28 approved a two‑year extension of time for an approved major development permit (DP2023‑0019) for a 15‑unit apartment project at 211 North Sunrise Way, extending the entitlement to July 24, 2028. Staff recommended approval after reviewing the project history and the applicant's efforts to exercise entitlements, and commissioners said delays attributable to Southern California Edison’s undergrounding process warranted relief under the municipal code.
Staff said the project had previously been approved (07/24/2024) and had recently expired; the applicant requested the extension after encountering delays related to coordination with Southern California Edison to underground utility poles and to finalize construction drawings. Planning staff told the commission Edison estimated an 18‑month period to perform the undergrounding work once the electrical calculations and construction drawings are submitted. Staff recommended approval and noted evidence that the applicant had pursued required steps such as submitting maps to the county.
Applicant Shal Mizrahi, who represents the 15‑unit project, described a multi‑year development effort dating to 2019 and said he was actively marketing the project and seeking a joint‑venture partner: "We put a lot of love and money into this project... I would like to ask for that 2 year extension," he told the commission. Neighbors at the hearing urged caution: an online commenter said the vacant lot has seen encampments and police calls and urged the city to verify code‑compliance and property maintenance while the site remains undeveloped.
Commissioners discussed which delays are allowable under code (financial inability is not generally a valid reason) and focused on franchise utility scheduling, architectural review history, and demonstrated effort to pursue entitlements. The commission amended findings to focus on utility coordination and technical delays rather than market or marketing reasons, and it voted to grant the extension. Commissioners also encouraged the applicant to prioritize completion of working drawings so that any Edison application can proceed concurrently.
