La Quinta homeowners speak out against proposed hotel project

Some homeowners in La Quinta are speaking out against a proposed hotel project they say will “ruin their neighborhood”.

“This really doesn’t add a whole lot to quality of life here in the neighborhood, in fact, it damages it,” said homeowner Tim Kemp.

Kemp, his wife, and daughter are among those who live in the “Monticello” development who fear a hotel, built right next to their neighborhood, would bring unwanted noise and traffic.

“For the neighborhood to have a 3 story hotel, it just doesn’t make sense for this location, and we’ve expressed that to the builder several times,” said Kemp.

the 68 thousand square foot hotel would be built in this lot .. in the Jefferson square shopping center.

The project includes an additional 8,800 square feet of retail space.

The plans also call for “re-purposing” this existing “Fresh and Easy” building into an organic indoor food and beverage market, with indoor dining.

The company behind the project is “CCD Hotel and Resorts”.

Holly Sterling’s family lives one block from the site.

“Not only is it going to be a huge party hotel, right behind my neighborhood park, but my kids are going to be exposed to things i don’t want them to be,” said Sterling.

The city has performed an environmental assessment on the project and determined that “although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect because mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project”.

“Its a wholly ugly project, (and will) create a 35 foot high prison like appearance. It doesn’t do anything for the neighborhood other than tax dollars,” said Kemp.

La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans turned down our request to respond to the citizen’s concerns on camera, but responded with an email, writing in part, “This project has not yet been presented to City Council; it’s been through Planning Commission at this point. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me or any Council Members to comment on the project.”

CCD Hotel and Resorts is set to present the plans to the city council December 18th.

News Channel 3 will keep an eye on what happens at that council meeting.

CCD Hotel and Resorts has not responded to our phone call and email, requesting an on-camera comment.