Palm Springs Planning Commission chair Dennis Woods eyes council seat - The Desert Sun

Shane Newell Palm Springs Desert Sun

Published 2:44 PM EDT Aug 24, 2019

Dennis Woods, chair of the Palm Springs Planning Commission, hopes to become the first City Council District 2 representative.

A full-time Palm Springs resident for seven years, Woods has spent the past three decades as an urban and transportation planner.

After serving in various community roles, including on the Little Tuscany Neighborhood Organization and as a One-PS representative, Woods has set his sights on one of the city's highest positions.

"I'm approaching this as the city is doing really great and I've been part of that process," he said of his campaign. "I'm approaching this just to make the city better."

Woods is one of three candidates running in District 2, an area mostly between Vista Chino and San Rafael Drive that also includes the Sunrise Vista Chino, Oasis del Sol and El Rancho Vista Estates neighborhoods. Roughly 9,300 people, about two-thirds of whom are white, live in the district, according to the city.

Two others are running against Woods. Adrian Alcantar, a hair salon owner, and Peter Maietta, who previously owned an architecture and interior design firm, both announced their runs earlier this year.

Woods, a Little Tuscany resident, moved to Palm Springs from Santa Monica seven years ago. He started vacationing in Palm Springs in the 1980s.

In addition to his planning experience, he also has worked as transportation director for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.

In 2017, he was appointed to the planning commission, which addresses land-use issues in the city.

"We help projects be the best they can be, to realize the best of them," Woods said. "Sometimes it's aggravating maybe to an applicant, but ultimately we get (a) better product."

"What I really like is that I have other commissioners that are dedicated and passionate," he said. "The passion of my other commissioners to make the city the best we can make it is unbelievable. It's not so much politically driven. It's driven by passion for good urban form."

He said some of the most important issues to address in the city are homelessness, affordable housing and updating the city's general plan and zoning code, which he says are outdated.

He praised the city's recent settlement with Grit Development, which included the transfer of nearly 5 acres near Gene Autry Trail that could be used for affordable housing.

"I think that was one of the best things we could do," he said.

From January to June, Woods raised more than $21,500, according to campaign finance records. Almost half of his contributions came from two sources — Wintec Energy's Fred Noble and D&E Land Co., an LLC Noble manages.

Districts 1 and 3 also will be up for grabs in November. Mayor Pro Tem Geoff Kors is running for reelection while Mayor Rob Moon and Councilman J.R. Roberts have opted not to seek an additional term.

"With J.R. Roberts leaving the council, there's no one on our council with urban planning experience and transportation experience," Woods said. "That was one impetus to run."

Woods said he is more experienced than his competitors.

"I can keep my calm," he said. "I can listen, deliberate and I think come up with good solutions."

Adrian Alcantar: Palm Springs hair salon owner eyes District 2 council seat

Peter Maietta: Palm Springs council candidate hopes to revitalize city's northern end

Carl Baker: Palm Springs election: District 2 field opens with Baker’s withdrawal

Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at Shane.Newell@DesertSun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane

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