Planning Commission Delays Villa Portofino Discussion, Approves Preschool

A discussion on the stalled Villa Portofino senior housing development was delayed at Tuesday night’s Palm Desert Planning Commission meeting to allow time for a potential buyer to close escrow on the property.

The Palm Desert-based Family Development stepped forward last month as a potential buyer of Villa Portofino. The escrow is expected to close at the end of March.

Commissioners were scheduled to weigh rescinding an existing development agreement because of a previous lack of movement on the project. The discussion was reset for April 19.

Rudy Herrera of Family Development told the commission at a Feb. 1 meeting that he has a plan in place to move forward with the project once escrow closes.

"We feel we have a very good understanding, but we have some things we need to work through,'' Herrera said.

Residents of the nearby Casablanca development and Villa Portofino have reached out to the city, citing concerns about blowing sand, crime and hazards from the unfinished construction site. (Read our full story on their about Villa Portofino .)

The Planning Commission also approved a conditional use permit to Little Monsters/Little Angels preschool, so they can operate at a vacant building at 74124 Highway 111, near Portola Avenue.

The school, which would host a maximum of 30 students between the ages of 3 and 5, is near a residential area.

The owner, Palm Desert-resident Christine Wells, said the state requires parents to sign their children in and out of the school, barring the youngsters from being in the parking lot alone.

"We have a morning class and we have an afternoon class. It is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.,'' Wells said.

The school has plans to construct a play yard next to the building.

Next the school will have to get approval from the state, which could take anywhere from 30 to 120 days.