Cathedral City Development News

City Council Reviews Draft Development Code Update, Addresses Zoning Modernization and Data Center Concerns

The City Council discussed the public review draft of the development code update, which aims to modernize zoning regulations, improve permit streamlining, and align with the general plan and state law. Key proposed changes include modernizing commercial standards, integrating objective design standards, and updating development standards for landscaping, shade, and parking. The draft also proposes consolidating mixed-use zones and revamping Planned Unit Development (PUD) and subdivision regulations. Concerns were raised regarding the balance between streamlining processes and maintaining public input, particularly with ministerial reviews. The issue of data centers was also a significant point of discussion, with requests for stricter definitions, public scrutiny, and potential moratoriums, though staff clarified that the current draft allows them only under a conditional use permit in industrial zones, requiring public hearings. The code update is a multi-year process with continued public engagement planned.