City Council - April 21, 2026

The City Council of Desert Hot Springs held a regular meeting on April 21, 2026. The meeting included the swearing-in of two new police officers, Emilio Alvarez and Martin Carrillo, highlighting the city's commitment to public safety. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the approval of the DHS Varner Road Specific Plan Amendment, which involves a large-scale logistics center development of over 1.1 million square feet, including office space, parking, and EV charging infrastructure. The council unanimously approved the environmental impact report addendum, specific plan amendment, general plan amendment, tentative parcel map, design review, and zoning ordinance amendment related to this project. Additionally, the council adopted the City of Desert Hot Springs Active Transportation Plan, aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, with a focus on safety, connectivity, and grant-aligned prioritization of projects. The plan was developed with extensive community outreach and includes recommendations for infrastructure improvements and funding opportunities. No other procurement or contract awards were discussed during the meeting.