UPDATE: Council Votes Against Story Poles

The Palm Desert City Council voted against requireing developers who propose projects above the city's height requirements to use story poles, a visual aid that shows the height of a project.

The idea was shot down in a 3-2 vote, with Councilwomen Cindy Finerty and Jean Benson voting in favor of story poles.

Story poles provide a visible demonstration of a proposed development, usually in the form of lumber or PCP pipes, and could cost developers between $4,000 to $15,000 to implement, according to a staff report prepared by Tony Bagato, the city's principal planner.

Only projects 20 percent above the city's height limit will have to use a story pole, and other proposed developments that are 10 percent above the limit will have to submit a visual simulation, Bagato said.

In August 2011, Councilwoman Cindy Finerty was the first to ask for the use of story poles in response to the Rosewood Hotel project, which is slated to be built off Highway 74 and El Paseo. 

The Desert Valley Builder's Association has opposed the requirements, saying they are too expensive. 

Last week, the Riverside County Chapter of the Building Industry Association for the Desert Region sent a letter to the city asking for the use of story poles to be voluntary.