DSRT Surf Gets Planning Commission Approval, One Approval to Go

DSRT Surf, one of the most ambitious wave pool plans in America, was approved by the planning commission. Now the plan will go to the Palm Desert City Council for final approval sometime in November.

The planning commission, who voted 3-0 in favor of recommending approval to the City Council, favor the project because it will offer something unique to “a lot of people [who otherwise] wouldn’t have access to this kind of water environment.” They also see it as an economic drive that will bring tax revenue to the city for years to come.

During the public hearing, six people spoke up for the the project and two spoke agains the project citing traffic, noise, lighting and water usage concerns. The latter concern was the primary focus of opponents. 

The DSRT Surf team re-emphasized their “turf for surf” program, which will turn some of the “rough” grass lands that surround the Desert Willow golf holes back to desert landscaping that requires no watering. That will reduce water usage by 34.8 million gallons per year, which is more than the 23.8 million gallons per year the wave pool is expected to use. However, other pools and water amenities around DSRT surf will require water, so the projects net usage will be 19.1 million gallons per year.

On a related note: The Coachella Valley Water District approved the project as well.

Building height was another concern, but Doug Sheres, a partner in Desert Wave Ventures LLC, pushed back saying that reducing building height would be “a complete redo”… “we are well below what is allowed on that site”.

Stay tuned as this exciting project continues to progress.