Controversial Ofland Resort vote moves tonight’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting to Freedom Plaza (7/22)

Heather Clisby Heather Clisby Send an email July 22, 2025

Anticipating higher-than-normal attendance at tonight’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, the event has been moved to the gymnasium at Freedom Plaza. The proposed Ofland Resort will be the main issue, a project that has excited some locals while galvanizing others in protest.

At 5:00 p.m., council will meet in chambers for a closed session on a litigious issue before joining the 6:00 p.m. meeting. Council will acknowledge the Semper Fi Sports team for participating in the city’s Cash For Trash program before moving to a likely approval of an annual levying assessment for the Landscaping and Lighting District 1.

Next, the Ofland Resort issue will take the stage as a public hearing and begins with Community Development Director Keith Gardner presenting a project overview and taking questions from council. Luke Searcy, Ofland’s Director of Development, will then make his own presentation on the 152-acre resort proposed near the Indian Cove neighborhood.

At this point, the floor will open for public comments. (Traditionally each speaker has three minutes to make statements, but that may be reduced to two minutes to accommodate all speakers.) Council will then discuss further, followed by a vote on whether to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) instead of requiring an in-depth and impartial Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and to create Open Space Conservation zoning specifically for the 100-unit project. The vote will also approve or reject a resolution approving the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) allowing the development of the resort – essentially, a green light.The 6:00 p.m. meeting takes place at Freedom Plaza, 6547 Freedom Way.

You can find the agenda for tonight’s meeting here.

Previously Reported:

Ofland Resort moves to Twentynine Palms City Council despite public opposition at special meeting
Indian Cove residents push back on proposed Ofland/Yonder resort in community meeting

Heather Clisby Heather Clisby Send an email July 22, 2025
Heather Clisby

Heather Clisby

Heather Clisby has been working in journalism and communications for over three decades, includings stints at newspapers, magazines, blogs and radio stations. A native of Long Beach, California, she can usually be found guiding tourists in Joshua Tree National Park, auditioning and/or clapping for others at Theatre 29, playing improv, or supporting all her friends in loud bands. She lives with her dog, Sweetpea, in Twentynine Palms.