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Thursday, May 28 | ☀️ 80°/60°
Happy Thursday! Some of you may have already sent your ballot off to be counted for the June 2 primary election (you can watch your ballot be counted on this livestream!), but for the rest of us still working through all those candidates, here’s some important information: Riverside County vote centers are now open for the June 2 primary election, and several are right here in Indio: Amistad High School, Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center, the Workforce Development Center, Indio-Riverside County Office of Education, and Indio High School. If you'd rather drop off a mail ballot, you can do that at Indio City Hall, the Workforce Development Center, or the Indio Community Center — drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, so don't wait too long! Our friends at the Riverside Record spoke with the county Registrar of Voters to get all the inside details, check out their story here for more info.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Purple Rain" by Prince
Leading Off
Plans for the 183-acre site north of Interstate 10 and south of Sun City Shadow Hills called for more than 1.8 million square feet of light industrial space either split between two buildings or eight.
Indio Planning Commission rejects warehouse project totaling 1.8 million square feet and up to 3,000 housing units
The Indio Planning Commission voted 3-2 Wednesday to recommend denial of the Oasis at Indio Specific Plan, a proposed 183-acre mixed-use development that would have included up to 1.8 million square feet of light industrial space north of Interstate 10.
Driving the news: The commission's vote was not a final decision. The item returns to the commission at its June 10 meeting, when commissioners are expected to formally adopt findings supporting the denial before the matter moves to the Indio City Council for a final vote.
The project: Developer BH Properties proposed building on vacant land north of I-10, south of Avenue 42, and just west of a Walmart. Two development scenarios were analyzed, with the larger option including up to 3,240 multi-family residential units alongside the industrial footprint.
Why it matters: The project's environmental impact report identified significant and unavoidable impacts to air quality and greenhouse gas emissions that could not be reduced below regulatory thresholds. The report also projected thousands of additional daily vehicle trips, with deficiencies expected at intersections including Madison Street and Avenue 42.
More than a dozen residents and 150 written public comments were submitted — with virtually no support for the project.
What they're saying: Commissioner Michael Slater, who voted to deny, argued the project risked defining Indio as a logistics-oriented city. "When people enter a city, gateway corridors shape perception," he said. "They communicate what a city values, where it is headed, and what kind of place it wants to become."
The other side: City staff recommended approval, with Community Development Director Brian Halvorson noting the project's economic and land use benefits. The developer's fiscal analysis estimated the project would generate between $3.2 million and $5.8 million in annual General Fund revenues for Indio.
Briefly
Indio Water Authority crews on Tuesday worked to repair the damaged fire hydrant.
💡 Officials say car crash caused Memorial Day weekend power outage
A single-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon knocked out power to more than 8,500 customers in Indio and La Quinta after a driver struck a fire hydrant on Avenue 48, flooding the roadway and contacting nearby high-voltage electrical lines.
Indio police said a 33-year-old man driving eastbound veered off the road and hit a hydrant between Hjorth Street and Calle Diamante. The driver was suspected of driving under the influence, cited and released with minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation pending toxicology results.
Details: The outage began around 12:30 p.m. and lasted approximately three hours for most customers. Imperial Irrigation District crews had to wait for Indio Water Authority to shut off the water before beginning repairs. Customers whose food spoiled may file a claim with IID, though the utility says it is not liable for outages caused by vehicle accidents.
🏘️ Commission approves Roadrunner Flats affordable housing project
The Indio Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved Roadrunner Flats, a 30-unit affordable housing development. The project will bring single-family rental homes with accessory dwelling units to a vacant 10-acre parcel north of Avenue 39, west of Jefferson Street.
The development, proposed by Etapes Corporation, will serve households earning between 30% and 70% of area median income (between $31,170 and $72,730) and is subject to a 55-year affordability restriction. The commission approved resolutions recommending the Indio City Council approve the project's architectural design and tentative tract map.
Details: Amenities will include a clubhouse and fitness facility. The applicant described the single-family affordable housing model as the first of its kind in California.
A MESSAGE FROM
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
📅 Featured events
Indio Police Department Blood Drive
Today | 10 a.m. | Indio Public Safety Campus
Walk-ins are welcome; appointments can be scheduled online here. Donors receive a $20 Red Robin gift card while supplies last.
A Night of Comedy at the Dune Room
Today and Friday | 8 p.m. | Dune Room
Comics Steve Mittleman, Ace Guillen, and Juan Garcia take the stage for two nights of stand-up, hosted by Donna Maine. ($12)
Reset Wellness Festival
Friday through Sunday | Rancho 51 Date Garden
A three-day weekend of music, wellness, and camping. ($85–$250)
Book Club: "Fahrenheit 451"
Friday | 3 p.m. | Indio Library
Join the monthly book club for a discussion of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."
Indio's Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio
Indio's weekly food truck tradition returns with a rotating lineup of vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities. The event is pet-friendly and open to all ages.
Water Fun Day
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Miles Avenue Park
A free end-of-school-year celebration featuring water balloon games, relay races, and water play for all ages. Register online here.
Flow, Sip, Shop Pop-Up Yoga & Sound Bath
Saturday | Noon | Urban Donkey Vintage Store
Tiny Vibez Reiki hosts a pop-up featuring community yoga, a sound bath, vintage shopping, coffee, and food and drinks. ($40)
Downtown Market
Saturday | 6 p.m. | Indio Taphouse
Downtown Market closes out its season at Indio Taphouse with 25-plus vendors, live music by DJ Globoy, an outdoor bar, and a doodle booth. Free and all ages welcome.
Afternoon Listening: "Purple Rain"
Sunday | 2 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Rosemary HiFi hosts a silent listening party of Prince's "Purple Rain" in its entirety, followed by an open discussion. Only 25 tickets available, each includes a $10 bar credit. ($18)
Indio Open Mic
Sunday | 7 p.m. | Desert Beer Company Pizza & Pints
Indio Open Mic launches its weekly series, hosted by Vanessa Rivera and Brandon Fernandez, welcoming stand-up comedy, music, and poetry performers. Sign-ups done in person starting at 6:30 p.m.
📣 And Finally …
Eight pickleball courts at Miles Park are easily accessible from the nearby parking lot along Deglet Noor Street.
Pickleball has officially taken over the Coachella Valley — and if you've been waiting for a reason to finally grab a paddle, this is it.
Driving the news: The Desert Recreation District, in partnership with Coachella Valley Paddles Up, is launching a fun series of morning pickleball clinics at Indio's Miles Avenue Park this June. It's open to anyone 16 and older, whether you've never set foot on a court or just want to stop hitting the ball into the net.
Why people love it: If you haven't caught the bug yet, you're in the minority. Boosters for the sport say pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, hooking everyone from hyper-competitive retirees to energetic teens.
Why people hate it: It’s booming popularity ruffles the feathers of tennis purists who suddenly have to share their pristine courts with picklers (or pickleheads?) who play on a smaller court with a lighter ball. Neighbors might occasionally groan at the constant sound of the sport, saying it “shatters” their nerves.
A quick scan of social media and forums show the sport can be a source of strife for romantic relationships and friendships, and it might even split up marriages!
Bottom line: People love it because it’s an easy and fun way to get some exercise in, and its less physically taxing than tennis.
The details: See for yourself what all the fuss is about, grab your sneakers and get out there before it gets too hot. Beginner clinics will be on Mondays at 7 a.m. (June 1–29) and beginner to advanced clinics on Thursdays at 7 a.m. (June 4–25)
The cost: $95/month for residents ($110 for non-residents), or you can test the waters with a $25 drop-in session.
In Case You Missed It
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