Proposed as a 106-room resort, developers of the Wonder Inn aim to take over the “old pink building” that has long sat vacant on Amboy Road. The developers applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in November 2021 and have since submitted technical studies required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and county development codes to the San Bernardino County Land Use Services (LUS) department. LUS just issued a report stating that the project would have no environmental impact that could not be mitigated, essentially, green lighting development.
The project would convert the existing 4,407-square foot office building to a restaurant/lobby and build an additional 106 guest rooms, a 5,000-square foot conference room, a 3,985-square foot wellness center, and other structures on the 25-acre site at 78201 Amboy Road in Twentynine Palms. It would also feature a 6,300-square foot swimming lagoon and 205 space parking lot which brings concerns about light pollution and traffic along Amboy near Gammel Road.
Locals opposing the project have formed a group, Stop Wonder Inn, built a website, and do not agree with the county findings. The 21-day public comment period on the Initial Study begins January 17 and closes on February 7 at 4:30 p.m. Submit comments to [email protected]
Stop Wonder Inn has lamented the limited time for public comment stating that the LUS report is “over a thousand pages of detailed documents and technical studies, but LUS has given the public only 21 days to get in our comments.” The group argues that the typical comment period for projects of this scale are 45 days, and they are asking for an extension of the comment period.
If there is no more pushback or delay, the project will go before the County Planning Commission for potential approval, and then to the County Board of Supervisors for approval or denial. Meanwhile, the Stop Wonder Inn hopes to schedule a community meeting in the next two weeks.
Links:
“Stop Wonder Inn” website: https://stopwonderinn.org/
To review the LUS report, look for “Wonder Inn Hotel/Resort” on bottom right:
