Palm Desert View Study

JKA was tasked with completing a study for the City of Palm Desert that established opportunities for Palm Desert stakeholders and decision-makers to define significant views, and a framework of recommendations to conserve, enhance, and celebrate Palm Desert’s significant views and viewsheds.

Palm Desert’s identity is deeply rooted in its desert setting and surrounding landscape. As residents and visitors move through the City, expansive views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, washes, and open spaces create a strong sense of place. JKA identified and mapped three primary view types based on how views are experienced throughout Palm Desert. First was the corridor view, views experienced along roadways and sidewalks, shaped by surrounding buildings, landscaping, and streetscape elements. Second was the open space view characterized by expansive mountain views experienced from public parks, trailheads, washes, and other publicly accessible open spaces. Last was the key site views, views associated with potential development and redevelopment sites where building placement, height, and massing can help preserve and enhance views.

To inform the study, JKA met with the City Council to discuss prominent views and conducted virtual community engagement through PublicCoordinate, inviting participants to identify their favorite views and views they considered threatened or vulnerable to change.

Together, the recommendations provide a framework for integrating view conservation and enhancement into City policy, public investment, infrastructure, open space, and future development.