CA, US & World
Coral Mountain Resort Opponents Speak Out Ahead of La Quinta City Council Meeting
“We feel if the city council really listens to us, that there can be no way that they can approve this wave pool,” Alena Callimanis with La Quinta Residents for Responsible Development said.
After a few delays, project adjustments and public outcry, the decision over La Quinta’s Coral Mountain Resort could soon become final.
And opponents of the project are anxious.
We know we have so many things that are going to dispute the developers’ studies,” Callimanis continued. “We’re very nervous about the potential outcome.”
Their biggest concern remains the same: water use.
“The 18 million gallons is still our biggest concern, because the site is fed by the Colorado River water. Whether it’s coming from the aquifer, which is filtered and is our drinking water, or if it comes from the Coachella Canal, it’s still Colorado River water. You know what kind of crisis it’s in right now,” Callimanis added.
Last month, developers of the resort made adjustments to the project including reducing the wave basin from 18.5 to 12 acres.
According to Callimanis, they’ve done something else to the basin.
“They have not reduced the size of the wave pool one inch. What they’ve done is put in platforms within the wave that they are seeing decreases the surface area, and evaporation is calculated by surface area. Anytime water goes over a surface, it’s subjected to evaporation,” she explained.
Another adjustment developers made was lowering the light poles from 80 to 40 feet to help reduce light pollution.
But opponents say that line of sight study wasn’t completely accurate.
“One of the reasons we’re standing here is because we did a balloon test, but our point was to try to show you can still see it,” Callimanis said. “You can see how elevated we are and we have perfect views of Coral Mountain from here. So it is obvious that the light will impact these people. We’ll see the glow, the reflection off the water, the reflection of the particulates in the air in the desert, they will see a glow. These developments all around will see a glow.”
For opponents like Callimanis, the best development for that site wouldn’t include a wave pool.
“My ideal situation would be a development that has a patio so these people can sit out and look at the stars,” she shared. “Yesterday, the Milky Way was right over my house, and that’s going to disappear if this is going to happen. Can you imagine these people being able to sit and look at the Milky Way from their backyards? This would be the best place to live in a normal, family oriented, without a surf park, development.”
La Quinta City Council’s Special Meeting will be this Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Make sure to tune in tomorrow where we hear from the developer and local supporters of this project.
By: Carmela Karcher
September 19, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
James Nellis from @dsrt_club_lq and @rd_rnnr_lq makes us one of his signature dishes, his Maine scallops with hibiscus puree. His creativity and skill lead to unique bold flavors and scrumptious dishes. We chat about his love of trying new things in the kitchen, what being a chef means to him, and how food can different, flavorful, and fun. This is James Nellis on a plate. See it now on nbcpalmsprings.com
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.