On July 15, 2021, Seefried Industrial Properties Inc. submitted a Development Permit application and an Environmental application to develop an approximately 3,424,698 square-foot sortable multi-story e-commerce warehouse and distribution center for consumer products.

The building would take up more than 94 acres on the east side of Calle de Los Romos between 19th Avenue and 20th Avenue, north of Interstate 10. The project site is currently vacant and relatively undisturbed, with creosote bush & desert scrub brush and soil consisting mainly of deep coarse sands.

The planning commission was split on the project. They voted 3-2 on the proposal, with Commissioners Requita Grant and Ted Mayrhofen voting no. Those against the current proposal cite similar environmental and traffic concerns. Commissioner Grant called for a full EIR to be conducted before moving forward with the project.

The planning commission has the final say on the development unless appealed. According to Russell Betts, the city council already voted on the zoning, but not on the specific project. Betts added that any citizen could appeal the planning commission's decision.

It will be one of the largest distributions centers in the United States when completed. According to city documents, it is also set to create approximately 1,800 full-time jobs.

More than a dozen residents spoke at Tuesday's planning commission meeting, most of which disagreed with the warehouse being built in the city for various reasons, including impacts to the environment, traffic, and health.

"This project will impact the whole valley."

"I only heard about this project, like a lot of people, this morning," said Jake, a public speaker at the meeting. "I believe that we are rushing into this and doing this way too hastily. I think there needs to be more time committed to this project. I think there needs to be a wider debate that maybe involves not just us, but the valley."

Some have posted to social media praising the project, saying it would bring jobs to the area. However, others expressed concerns over housing prices in the region increasing.

"I think it's a great project, but given the size, I can't vote yes on it," Grant said. One of the supporters was Vice-Chair James Nindel, who cited job creation and the city's need not to rely on the cannabis industry.

"I do have concerns about the wildlife in the area. I've grown up in the Coachella Valley all my life," said Chairman Richard Duffle. "And I've seen wildlife when I was younger that is no longer around. I miss that wildlife, but it's moved to other locations as humanity has progressed. But, unfortunately, like mangoes, some things must change.

The Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan was created and approved in 2008. It was supposed to settle where you can develop and where you can't get around the Coachella Valley. Instead, desert Hot Springs has more conservation land than anyone else in the valley, according to Betts, who added the land in question is zoned for industrial.

Construction is planned to begin in June. If everything goes according to plan, construction will be finished by Sept. 2023. The proposed project will be operational in the fourth quarter of 2023.