Development Could Transform Palm Springs Landmark

15 November 2006 - 12:00pm

Critics oppose a major development including a resort, golf course, and housing, on the lower slopes of Palm Spring's Mt. San Jacinto.

"...the image of the craggy, boulder-strewn mountain could change dramatically with the city's recent go-ahead for a resort, an 18-hole golf course and up to 3,700 homes to be built on the mountain's lower third and adjacent areas.

Opponents fear the construction will ruin the mountain's pristine geography, which includes hot springs and a crossing used by endangered desert bighorn sheep...But property owners say they also love the land and have made substantial investments to develop it...

Opposition groups hope daunting project costs and a sagging economy will deter development. A consortium of groups has rallied behind the Riverside Land Conservancy's proposal to buy the land. It's not clear how many millions of dollars such a plan would cost or whether state and federal funds could be secured to assist in the purchase."

Full Story: Near a pristine desert peak, housing looms

Source: The Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2006