2021-07-14 KoenigGEORGE H. KOENIG. M.D.
79-963 Rancho La Quinta Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
July 10, 2011
Nicole Sauviat Criste, Consulting Planner
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle T ampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Re: "Wave" at Coral Mountain
Dear Ms. Criste,
Tel: (760) 771-4141
Fax: (760) 771-4443
email: ghkmd@mac.com
18 years ago my wife and I moved to La Quinta and have been delighted over these years for
the move. During this time La Quints has developed its commercial base in a logical and
geographic manner and has maintained a wonderful residential environment. I was surprised
at the proposed project of a water park at Coral Mountain, as discussed nicely in a recent
article in the Desert Sun.
I read the article, perused the project on-line, obtained a bigger printout at City Hall, and drove
to the site to view it. I was left with a number of questions:
I believe the site was once part of the initial plans for Andalusia but was spun off as
economically unfeasible. In fact I understand the developer -Drummond, a corporation with
enormous financial reserves - has subsequently sold Andalusia as well. The site is roughly six
miles from Citrus Plaza (Jefferson and 50) at the very end of Madison, a long way if one has
forgotten a grocery item. If Andalusia failed to flourish one must wonder about the new
proposal. The rationale for a new development of expensive homes is puzzling.
The entire length of Madison Avenue is full of high -end residential developments. A major
resort would be in sharp contrast to the environment surrounding it. Independent of the wave
a hotel of any viable size would be completely out of place; issues to include building height
and traffic.
The plans call for a golf course. I think a number of golf courses are experiencing a decrease
in use. The area is also surrounded by a number of courses - PGA, Silver Rock, and others.
Who would be the market target for a new distant course is unclear.
Although the proposal for WAVE phenomenon's sound abatement is discussed, it seems likely
that such a feature is likely to be noisy - whatever good intentions of the builder.
Since it is unlikely that the immediate neighborhood would use the structure one must assume
that the users would not be local, more likely a youthful and loud group. How this would sit
with the owners of expensive homes immediately adjacent would surely affect their sales
prospects.
The Desert Sun noted 3 other water park developments underway or about to begin
development. All three would not only compete for a limited market but would be located in far
more convenient locations for prospective customers - remembering the really isolated site
under consideration. How the Coral Mountain wave would attract customers is surely unclear.
If one considers all the headaches and frustration with Silver Rock, certainly a better conceived
and eventually successful undertaking I would understand if the City would approve what
looks like an even less viable undertaking with profound concern. If it were to proceed and
then fail who would be left holding the bag? The City? Who would want to acquire an isolated
development with a water park?
The "Wrong Project in the Wrong Place" certainly seems an appropriate comment. Personally I
would not invest my money in it.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Yours very tr ,
L �4�
G rge H. Koenig, MD
CC: The Desert Sun
750 N. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92262