Architectural Review Committee | October 19th, 2026

The City of Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee met on October 19, 2026. Members discussed state housing-law limits on using subjective design criteria and voted 3–2 to place a proposed 16-unit housing project on the consent calendar, where it would be approved with the consent items and without separate presentation or discussion. Staff said local review of housing projects is increasingly constrained to objective, externally verifiable standards as the city updates its zoning code.

The committee considered In-N-Out Burger’s proposed 3,886-square-foot restaurant and drive-through at 1801 East Palm Canyon Drive. After staff, applicant, and public comments, members voted 3–2 to approve the architectural review application with conditions. Discussion focused on the design’s fit with Palm Springs and Smoke Tree Ranch, landscaping and parking-lot shade, lighting, and the applicant’s response to 18 prior design recommendations; members disagreed about which items had been completed. No contracts, purchases, or procurement-related spending were identified.