Last night’s Yucca Valley Planning Commission meeting featured another step towards development for Starbucks West, the new coffee house to be built on the corner of Barberry Avenue and Highway 62. The shop’s proposed landscape and irrigation plans include Mesquite and Palo Verde Trees, Red Yuccas, and other desert shrubs. The commission unanimously approved the plans, with Commissioner Vasconcelos noting that the plant palette will “bring new vibrance to that street corner.” Town staff…

At last night’s meeting the Yucca Valley Town Council approved a major raise for council members, effective in 2025. They also discussed designing new signs to help beautify the town. The council discussed creating three new monument signs for the Town of Yucca Valley: one on the east and west ends of Twentynine Palms Highway, and one to the north on Highway 247. All signs should be in a safe location for drivers to pull over and take photographs. The council favored collaborating with local…

Tonight’s Yucca Valley Town Council meeting includes the enactment of a 30 percent salary increase for council members. Effective January 1, 2025, the proposed increase will raise council members’ salaries from $610 to $950, the maximum allowed by California Law. As quoted in the agenda, the salary raise is intended to “keep the council more diverse,” as well as mitigate effects of inflation. This measure is included in the consent agenda, and is expected to pass unanimously unless met with…