Mike Lipsitz, Author at Z107.7 FM Joshua Tree

Proposed Flamingo Heights Glamping Project Denied

March 12, 2023

The controversial, 70-unit glamping resort planned along the edge of Pipes Canyon in Flamingo Heights died following a public hearing before the County Planning Commission yesterday in San Bernardino. Reporter Mike Lipsitz files this report… Despite a recommendation for approval from the County Department of Land Use Services, the project was “denied without prejudice” when no one on the planning commission was willing to make a motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit. Without that permit,…

Flamingo Heights glamping development public hearing today, Mar. 9th at 9AM

by Mike Lipsitz

March 9, 2023

The controversial 640-acre glamping development proposed for Flamingo Heights is the subject of a public hearing at this morning’s (March 9, 2023) 9 a.m. meeting of the County Planning Commission in San Bernardino. Beverly Hills developer, RoBott Land Company, is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a 75-unit glamping resort on 25 acres of a 640-acre parcel. Proposed for the east side of State Route 247 near La Brisa Road, the campground would also feature a restaurant and bar, camp store, pool,…

640-acre Flamingo Heights glamping development public hearing this Thursday, Mar. 9

by Mike Lipsitz

March 7, 2023

Listen here: The controversial 640-acre glamping development proposed for Flamingo Heights is the subject of a public hearing at this Thursday’s (March 9, 2023) 9 a.m. meeting of the County Planning Commission in San Bernardino. Beverly Hills developer, RoBott Land Company, is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a 75-unit glamping resort on 25 acres of a 640-acre parcel. Proposed for the east side of State Route 247 near La Brisa Road, the campground would also feature a restaurant and bar,…

Joshua Basin Water District approves smaller rate increase, larger rate hike still on table

by Mike Lipsitz

February 18, 2023

Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency meeting agenda for Oct. 11

Last night was the final public outreach effort before the district’s board decision on rate hikes. After more than three-and-half hours of public comments and board discussion directors settled on a plan no one expected. They approved the 75% rate increase model that has been on the table but will use that as a rate ceiling and implement instead a 9% increase and dip into some of the district’s reserves to make up the difference. The decision leaves the board the option to bring rates up to a…

Morongo Basin Conservation Association offering three scholarships for high school seniors

by Mike Lipsitz

February 17, 2023

The Morongo Basin Conservation Association is offering three $1000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors who live in Morongo Basin and will enroll full-time at a college or university this fall. Successful applicants must demonstrate in a roughly 500-word application essay how environmental conservation relates to their academic major and/or educational and career goals. Any major or degree program will be considered, with a preference for science, technology, engineering, arts, and…

Bighorn-Desert View water meeting authorizes $11 Million dollar grant, fee increase for new service

by Mike Lipsitz

February 15, 2023

At last night’s (February 14, 2023) board meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency in Landers, directors approved two resolutions, each of which promises to give the district a boost. The board authorized funding of an $11 million dollar grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. The grants will fund the long-time goal of tying together the Goat Mountain and Bighorn-Desert View water systems which opens the door for a number of efficiencies one of which is the blending of water…

Wednesday Water Round-up: Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley explore water rate increases

by Mike Lipsitz

February 15, 2023

Wednesday Water Roundup – regular meeting for JBWD, Hi-Desert

The Hi-Desert Water District board of directors, which serves Yucca Valley, will meet at 4 p.m. today (February 15, 2023). And down the highway, in Joshua Tree, the Joshua Basin Water District’s regular meeting begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. In addition to a number of informational items, directors at the Hi-Desert Water District will review a 2019 rate study with an eye toward commissioning a new study with likely increases that would begin rolling in in June 2024. The meeting takes place at the…

Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency meeting tonight, Feb. 14

by Mike Lipsitz

February 14, 2023

There are at least two reasons water users in Landers and Flamingo Heights may want to check into tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency’s Board of Directors. Following a public hearing and likely board vote on increasing the charges for installation of new service lines, directors will authorize implementation of an $11 million grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. The funds will pay for linking the Goat Mountain and Bighorn-Desert View systems. The plan…

“Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act” delays endangered species decision

by Mike Lipsitz

February 13, 2023

Breaking: Joshua Tree Status vote to be pushed to February 2023 at California Fish and Game Commission meeting this morning

Listen here: Last week’s (February 8, 2023) announcement out of Governor Gavin Newsom’s office of proposed legislation titled "The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act" prompted the California Fish and Game Commission to again delay a decision on whether to list the species under the California Endangered Species Act. Pending that decision Fish and Game has been on the hot seat with conservationists on one side and developers and construction trades on the other. The proposed Western…

Joshua Basin Water District proposed rate increases hinges on public “protest votes”

by Mike Lipsitz

February 13, 2023

Folks who rely on the Joshua Basin Water District for service should plan for some stiff increases in water rates over the five years. Not yet set in stone, the proposed hikes will be the subject of a public hearing and protest vote deadline set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15 at the district office on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree. Citing aging infrastructure, personnel costs, and inflation some rates would increase more than 75% by 2027. According to the water district, some 25…

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