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The City of Cathedral City is excited to announce the scheduled release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) to update the Zoning Code! This effort is the long-awaited culmination of goals in both the General Plan and the City's Strategic Plan. The goals for this update are to modernize the Zoning Code, and streamline the land use permit and development process to make the Code easier to understand for all. While this sounds like standard procedure for government work, the RFP emphasizes the need for an innovative Code that is adaptable, modern, and responsive to changes in market preferences. The City's intent is to also be responsive to innovative development proposals that will help Cathedral City be better suited in the competitive development market. "The Cathedral City Council expressed a clear goal to transform the development process into a facilitative, automated, and predictable process," said Andy Firestine, Director of Community and Economic Development. "We have made progress automating and streamlining through the deployment of EnerGov, the City's web portal for application submittal and online plan review," he adds however, "the zoning code and design guidelines are holding us back from achieving Council's goal."
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The City's General Plan - an extensive 600-plus page visionary guidance document - supports development that leads to creative placemaking and honors the fabric of existing neighborhoods. As a responsive and engaged local government, Cathedral City will be poised as a leader to address current challenges from a thoughtful, rather than a reactive stance.
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The Code Update process will take 18-24 months to complete.
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The steps to completing the process include:
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Solicit a professional team with technical expertise to build a Zoning Code that meets the City's unique and specific needs.
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Assemble a Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Committee to guide the update process and work product.
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Host robust public engagement in both English and Spanish, through a series of online and in-person events.
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Engage in study sessions with the Planning Commission and the City Council to discuss segments of the process and product with the professional team and to hear from the Steering Committee and the public.
The successful final product will be:
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Easy to read and understand.
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Include tables and images to aid in simplifying complex concepts.
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Incorporate design guidelines that consider the needs of smaller sub-communities. (neighborhoods within neighborhoods) that honor existing development while responding to changes in laws that impact all neighborhoods in the City, and across the State.
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Build in incentives for the type of development the City and City residents and businesses want to see.
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Reduce unnecessary burdens and barriers to application review that make way for creating good jobs and economic stability.
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Modernized the City's design and development standards that will reflect Cathedral City as a great place to live, shop, and play.
"A clear and predictable development process reduces risk and uncertainty in the development process, which saves time," Firestine added. "We want to develop a code that does just that to promote new housing and jobs in Cathedral City."
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The RFP is scheduled to go out the first week of September. Once the RFP period closes in early October, a committee will review and score the proposals and present a recommendation for award to the City Council. Currently, staff anticipates the contract award will be presented to the City Council in October or November 2024. Those who are interested in getting involved in the update are encouraged to monitor the City's website and social media posts for future updates and information.
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Coachella Valleys Battle in the Desert 2024
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October 19, 2024
Come watch the sport of amateur boxing at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater in Downtown Cathedral City. Doors open at 4:00 pm 1st boxing match starts at approximately 5:00 pm For tickets, contact Jesus Gonzalez (760) 335-8895
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Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
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November 22-24, 2024
The City of Cathedral City is excited to announce Agua Caliente Casinos, the award-winning premier destination for entertainment in the Coachella Valley, as the title sponsor for the 10th-anniversary event, which will take place Friday, Nov. 22 - Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. The festival will feature live food truck vendors from Southern California, a beer and wine garden, tethered balloon rides…Read more
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SnowFest
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December 14, 2024
Snow-Fest, scheduled from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, captures all the holiday spirit and places it at one event with holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a holiday tree lighting ceremony, and so much more. The annual event also includes Santa's Arrival Snow Fest Express - Free Train Rides Real Snow in the Park! Elf Workshop for Kids …
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