When Suzanne and John Lounder of Toronto, Canada, arrived at the Palm Springs (Calif.) International Airport on Friday, they immediately noticed the palm trees, fresh air, mountains and blue sky.
"It was floral and tropical, bright and sunny," said John Lounder. "It was like going down south on vacation to Mexico."
That's just what airport officials want to hear.
This week, an emotional debate over green grass versus desert landscaping at the airport heated up, and officials say they are on their way to hammering out a deal.
The Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee had asked for more native plants to create the oasis feel the airport craves.
The Planning Commission on Wednesday advised a mid-century modern approach to reflect the style of the airport's architecture. The airport has been before both groups several times, with little to no changes made.
On Friday, airport officials met with members of the architectural panel, the planning commission and city council to work out a compromise.
Tweaks were made to the landscape design, but nothing more than that, said architectural committee member Paul Ortega Friday.
"It's still heavily tropical," Ortega said.
Desert landscaping doesn't have to be boulders, gravel and cactus, Ortega said.
It can still be lush, green and fragrant. It just uses desert plants instead of a water-guzzling non-native palate.
Maintenance and water costs can also be saved by using desert landscaping, said David Luker, general manager of the Desert Water Agency.
The agency recently changed out its grass in favor of native plants, saving the agency 50 to 75 percent in water consumption, Luker said.
"I think it's pretty green and lush," he said.
Airport Executive Director Tom Nolan said Friday the planning process will "flush out" the airport's end product.
"They (the AAC and Planning Commission) are welcome to express their thoughts," said Nolan. "It's all part of the process ... I'm confident it will yield the best product for the entire community."
Jeff Beckelman, president and CEO of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority, said passengers aren't paying as much attention to the landscaping as they are the mountains.
"A true desert oasis is not the manufactured look of grass and flowers," Beckelman said.
"We are a desert environment. You need to find the desert landscaping that thrives with the amount of water in that area."