Nov. 13 Weekly Briefing: Latest on gas station moratorium, dust summit, money for bike lane, and more

Happy Thursday! There’s always a million events happening in Indio, but if you plan to attend any events on Saturday, you really need to triple check if it’s still going to happen. From the CV Horse Rescue “Raising Hay” Fundraiser here in Indio to the Filipino Festival in Palm Springs, several outdoor events have had to take a raincheck due to heavy rains forecast for Saturday. Also take note: Food Truck Friday has moved to the corner of Smurr Street and Civic Center Drive as its usual patch of grass is being reseeded. The event will be there from now until Dec. 4.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

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LEADING OFF

Planning Commission debates gas station moratorium as landscape, EV charging requirements move forward

Indio’s Planning Commission approved landscaping and electric vehicle charging requirements for future gas stations on Wednesday. But commissioners questioned why their September request for a moratorium on new gas stations still hasn’t reached the City Council.

Driving the news: The commission unanimously voted to recommend that the council require gas stations to use regional desert trees and exceed state minimum EV charging requirements. The recommendations came from a seven-month review after the council approved a controversial Maverik gas station project in April.

What it’s really about: Commissioner Christian Rodriguez Ceja challenged city staff over the delay, calling Wednesday’s study session “a stalling moment.”

• “We made a recommendation…We were told this was going to be on the [council’s] agenda. It was not,” Rodriguez Ceja said.

By the numbers: The city had 17 gas stations when Rodriguez Ceja joined the commission in 2020, 22 by 2023, and now has 32 with more applications pending.

What they’re saying: Community Development Director Brian Kemp said staff is working to package all the commission’s recommendations for the council. “We’re literally working behind the scenes right now,” Kemp said, hoping to complete the work by the end of the year.

What they approved: The proposals would require gas stations to use trees from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Urban Greening Guide and exceed California Green Building Code minimums for EV-capable parking spaces.

What’s next: The City Council is expected to do a second reading and adopt updated California Green Building Code standards at its next meeting, with new requirements taking effect Jan. 1.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

💨 Dust summit attracts elected officials, residents seeking concrete solutions beyond studies

Elected officials, scientists and residents gathered at UC Riverside’s Palm Desert campus last week for a dust summit seeking solutions to the Coachella Valley’s air quality crisis. The event, hosted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), exposed a stark disconnect between data showing improvement and residents reporting more frequent, severe dust storms.

• Data from three valley monitoring stations showed most particulate matter is within federal guidelines and data from the valley’s ER departments has not shown an increase in air quality-related visits.
  
• Residents spoke up at the meeting and told the researchers they could be missing data from clinics and from people who are sick but can’t afford to go to the emergency room or go to Mexico for medical help instead.
  
• Bottom line: Data from the Indio air quality sensor is variable after it was moved from a fire station to Amistad High School. SCAQMD said they’re working to get more temporary sensors deployed for more granular data, and epidemiologists are working to fill in the gaps in their research.

It was a three hour meeting and there was a lot more to learn. Check out our full story for more information

🏛️ City Hall back open for business

Indio City Hall is back open for business! The seat of the city was closed for five days so staff members could move into the brand new City Hall building.

• Construction began on the new three-story, 36,000-square-foot building at the beginning of last year. The Civic Center Campus also includes the new 7,000-square-foot library. The two buildings will be connected via a paved public plaza.
  
• At Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting [name] told commissioners about the old building, “I’m hearing that next month, the old building right next to us, will be demolished for a plaza and for additional parking and things like that.”
  
• What’s next: If you thought that meant the end of construction in Indio…think again! Plans are underway for construction of a new 27,000-square-foot Indio Police headquarters to complete the city’s public safety campus.

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YOUR WEEKEND

“Head Over Heels: The Go-Go’s Musical”
Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Desert Theatreworks
This weekend marks a special milestone for Desert TheatreWorks, it’s their 100th performance on Saturday. Join them for a reception before the show. “Head Over Heels” is a wild, joyful, Go-Go’s powered celebration of love, laughter, and being exactly who you are. ($45)

Indio Elks Community Yard Sale
Friday, Saturday, Sunday | 7 a.m. | Indio Elks Lodge
Join the Indio Elks for a community yard sale featuring kitchen wares, furniture, exercise equipment, tools, games, toys, and more. Proceeds go toward the operation of the lodge.

La Quinta Art Celebration Encore
Today through Sunday | 10 a.m. | La Quinta Civic Center
This four-day event celebrates artists from around the world. ($25)

Public Enemy
Friday | 8 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Hip-hop and rap legends Public Enemy, members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipients of the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, have earned platinum records and played sold-out shows across the globe. ($70)

Movie Matinee: “Rocky”
Saturday | 11 a.m. | Indio Public Library
Come down to the brand new Indio Library and join your neighbors for a screening of “Rocky.”

“Kids”Giving
Saturday | 12 p.m. | Indio Brewing
This family-friendly Thanksgiving event features arts and crafts and delicious Thanksgiving-style food. Bring a Canned Good to receive $1 off drinks!

AMP Bash Fall 2025
Saturday | 2 p.m. | Taphouse Indio
Hosted by the Academy of Musical Performance (AMP) this fun-filled afternoon features live performances by talented AMP Alumni, local youth musicians, and special guests. Proceeds directly support tuition scholarships, outreach programs in underserved areas, and equipment upgrades. ($20)

Check out more events in our community calendar

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AND FINALLY …

Last week, we gave you an in-depth look at the new 40-mile CV Link bike path that spans the Coachella Valley. But local and regional leaders admit that there is still work to be done, especially in connecting people to the link via safer bike pathways in their neighborhoods.

Driving the news: At the ribbon-cutting for the CV Link in Indio last week, Tom Kirk, Executive Director of Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), announced that the planned Arts and Music Line that runs through Indio has been recommended for another $20 million in funding.

What it is: We first told you about the Arts and Music Line back in June, the 9-mile route along Avenue 48 would run between Washington Street and Dillon Road out to the Whitewater River through La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.

• The route will feature art from local artists and will connect to the CV link in addition to schools, housing, shopping, and employment centers. 

By the numbers: The cost has ballooned from the original estimation of about $46 million to $65 million, CVAG has already secured more than $36 million in grant money from the state.

Show me the money: The announced $20 million for the project would come from Southern California Association of Governments Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program Funding. 

What’s next: Construction bids for the Arts and Music Line are expected to begin late next year, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027 and is estimated to take about two years.