Historic Site Preservation Board | September 30th, 2026

The City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board met on October 1, 2026 (meeting title: September 30th, 2026) to consider a major Certificate of Appropriateness application from New Church 2 LLC for adaptive reuse of the historic Community Church and Orchid Tree Inn and Bungalows at 284 South Cahuilla Road and 261 South Belardo. The proposal includes restoring the church and eight remaining bungalows for hotel use, church alterations including a stair addition and window/door changes, and site features such as trellises, landscaping, and a cabana. A public commenter opposed the project’s compatibility with the historic neighborhood. No contracts, purchasing decisions, or project budgets were discussed.

Staff recommended approval subject to conditions, including reconsidering the church addition’s exterior material and trellises, restudying the cabana, and preparing a detailed preservation and restoration plan. Board members discussed those conditions and concerns about the cabana’s placement and visibility, the church stair addition, and preservation of existing windows and doors. The board voted 4–3 to continue the application so the applicant can provide additional information and restudy aspects of the proposal; it did not approve the Certificate of Appropriateness at this meeting.