Proposal withdrawn to develop Oswit Canyon housing site

5/26 Update: Eagle Canyon Partners announced Thursday that they will withdraw their application for the proposed housing development near Oswit Canyon in South Palm Springs.

The decision came just three days after city officials and the Palm Springs Planning Commission visited the controversial ‘Eagle Canyon’ housing development site.

Officials said the developer has listened to community concerns and will explore the possibility of creating a much smaller project with larger lots and homes.

The developer is currently working with an engineer to determine the feasibility of the newly planned project.

Mike Cole of Eagle Canyon Development said, “We’ve heard the community loud and clear. We plan on working with the community on a smaller environmentally-sound development while at the same time giving the preservation community the time to assemble the funds necessary to
purchase the entire tract for preservation. We never had any intention of closing any of the trails on the property or restricting access to the public.”

Those opposing the project have offered to purchase the property for preservation. The developers will entertain a funded offer to purchase the property for what they have expended on it with no additional profit, officials said in the release.

The Eagle Canyon Development was originally approved for 230 units on 117 acres and was
reduced by the developers to 160 single-family residential lots on 64 acres with the remaining 53
acres dedicated to open space that preserve access to the popular Oswit Canyon and South Lykken Trails.

5/23 Oswit Canyon development debated

The debate over developing Oswit Canyon continues.

Monday morning the Palm Springs Planning Commission met with developers to learn more about their plans for the “Eagle Canyon” development.

The project was first approved in 2006, but they never broke ground.

Monday plans to develop 64 of the 117 acres in South Palm Springs are being revisited.

“We are not going to compromise. We are not going to give up. We are not going to allow one shovel, one house in this canyon,” said Jane Garrison the spokesperson for “save Oswit Canyon”.

Members of the Palm Springs planning commission hiked the trails Monday to get a firsthand look at the proposed site.

“This was a project that was preliminary approved a few years ago and it’s come back to be reviewed at the present time. There’s a lot of sensitive issues concerning the topography, concerning environment and getting a full understanding of what’s happening here,” said Philip Klatchko, planning commission chairman.

The developer, Michael Cole, was on hand to answer questions.

When we asked to speak with him on camera he declined to do an interview with us.

But, about 25 Palm Springs residents didn’t mind sharing their concerns.

Their number one fear, jeopardizing the habitat of eight endangered and threatened species, including big horn sheep.

“In the next 20, 30 years we need to continue to look back at what’s going to bring visitors to our community. And I believe as time goes on nature will always be that thing that brings people back to our community,” said resident Jason Bruecks.

Their other concern, whether the 10-year-old environmental impact report is still valid.

Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon wanted to educate himself on the project.

“There’s a lot of property in Palm Springs that’s ready for development, do we really need to develop this environmentally sensitive land?” Moon said.

Garrison said they’re prepared to buy the land from the developer.

“There are six federally protected species in this canyon. There are 32 federally protected migratory birds. The only compromise we see is that we are willing to secure the funds to purchase this land from the developer and to secure it for all future generations to enjoy,” Garrison said.

Members of the planning commission said there’s still more questions to be answered.

And, they said it will be a while before we see anything happen to Oswit Canyon.

There are now nearly 1,200 community members who’ve joined the Save Oswit Canyon Facebook page.

The group is planning a rally for this Saturday at 8 a.m. near the proposed development site.