Rancho Mirage’s City Council has unanimously approved zoning changes and amendments to the city’s specific plan for the area on the west side of Monterey Avenue just south of Dinah Shore Drive, adjacent to Home Depot. The changes will pave the way for future development, allowing for a mix of medium-density residential and commercial, up to 400 homes, up to 150,000 SF of retail, and a hotel of up to 150 rooms. These new changes allow for senior and multi-family apartments, and drive-thru restaurants, although it is unclear if these will be included in the final development plans. The development plan will still need to be brought before city council and approved in order to begin construction.

“It’s a property in a very important part of our city,” Councilmember Weill said. “I hope that the developer, should we approve this today, is able to follow up and get it built.”