2022-01-08 Pena Response to Callimanis - Broker of Record_RedactedThank you John and Bill: Meriwether has prematurely announced publicly Broker
of Record for Coral Mountain Resort
Alena Callimanis
Sat 1/8/2022 10:24 AM
To:John Pena <jpena@laquintaca.gov>
Cc:Jon McMillen <jmcmillen@laquintaca.gov>;Danny Castro <dcastro@laquintaca.gov>;Consulting Planner
<ConsultingPlanner@laquintaca.gov>;Monika Radeva <mradeva@laquintaca.gov>;BIhrke@rutan.com
<BIhrke@rutan.com>
** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and cau;on when
opening a=achments, clicking links or responding to requests for informa;on. **
Thank you. This clarifies things very well. We do want to keep everything legal.
Alena
Alena Callimanis
La Quinta, CA 92253
On Sat, Jan 8, 2022 at 6:28 AM John Pena <jpena@laquintaca.gov> wrote:
Alena,
Happy New year to you!
As noted by Ms. Criste, your email was received and will be included in public
comments.
As to the press release you mentioned, I would additionally note that having the city
issue a “cease and desist” statement could be interpreted as a government agency
trying to engage in the prior restraint of free speech, which is protected under federal
and state constitutional law. This means that the city has strict and narrow boundaries
imposed by law, which limit a government agency’s ability to dictate what a person,
organization, or business, small or large, may say, publish or release to the media.
Ultimately, the development permitting process allows the council and public generally
to hear and consider statements made by the respective parties. The press release,
and your response to it, will be part of that process by being included in the public
comments record. This would also apply to other organizations making comments
whether in favor or opposed to the project whether factual or nonfactual. I am sure
this sounds like legal ease but since the city attorney was copied it was only fitting
that we get his input.
John
From: Alena Callimanis
Firefox https://outlook.office.com/mail/AAMkAGJiMWY1OTY1LTBhY2EtN...
1 of 3 4/2/22, 10:32 AM
Sent: Wednesday, January 5, 2022 10:57 PM
To: Linda Evans <Levans@laquintaca.gov >; Jon McMillen
<jmcmillen@laquintaca.gov>; Danny Castro <dcastro@laquintaca.gov>; Consulting
Planner <ConsultingPlanner@laquintaca.gov>
Cc: Monika Radeva <mradeva@laquintaca.gov>; Robert Radi <Rradi@laquintaca.gov>;
Kathleen Fitzpatrick <kfitzpatrick@laquintaca.gov>; John Pena
<jpena@laquintaca.gov>; Steve Sanchez <ssanchez@laquintaca.gov>;
BIhrke@rutan.com
Subject: Meriwether has prematurely announced publicly Broker of Record for Coral
Mountain Resort
** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper
judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for
information. **
I would first like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
I wanted to let you know that it was with great dismay that I read the
following:
“Jason Weiss has been named the Broker of Record and head of
sales for the first of its kind new development project, Coral
Mountain Resort La Quinta. Coral Mountain is expecting to break
ground in 2022 and will be a Private Next Generation Luxury
Wellness Community at the base of Coral Mountain…”
https://theluxurydesert.com/jason-weiss/
To my knowledge, The Coral Mountain EIR has not been released or
approved. Is there something I missed?
I think it is totally unethical for the developer to publish this. It
makes it appear that the Developer has received all approvals from
the City. This type of post is purposely misleading and sends
the wrong information out to the people of La Quinta and elsewhere.
Firefox https://outlook.office.com/mail/AAMkAGJiMWY1OTY1LTBhY2EtN...
2 of 3 4/2/22, 10:32 AM
Would you please ask the developer to cease and desist from this
type of underhanded & devious marketing tactic?
As I await your response, I am thanking you in advance.
Respectfully,
Alena Callimanis
La Quinta, CA 92253
Firefox https://outlook.office.com/mail/AAMkAGJiMWY1OTY1LTBhY2EtN...
3 of 3 4/2/22, 10:32 AM