The long-delayed construction of a controversial Joshua Tree Dollar General store is only waiting for the results of a review of sewer and water use plans, then a will-serve letter from the Joshua Basin Water District. Joshua Basin General Manager Curt Sauer told Z107.7 News that the district has received the plans for the new store outlining specific water use and sewer information. Sauer said that it appears the proposed general merchandise store at the northwest corner of Sunburst Avenue and State Route 62 will not be required to provide a package sewer plant because of their relatively small 9,100 square foot footprint. He said there has been some confusion in separating the owner of the property from the tenant in the process. Sauer said after the review, he expects the district will issue a will-serve letter to Dollar General with the stipulation that ownership transfers to the tenant. He estimates that after the review is completed, it would be about two weeks before the will-serve letter is issued. Environmental challenges, lawsuits, and appeals that went all the way to the California State Supreme Court have delayed the project for almost six years. Opponents of the Dollar General store claim that the store is inconsistent with the Joshua Tree Community Plan and it will cause urban decay among established businesses in Joshua Tree. Supporters say it will bring much-needed access to general household merchandise to the low-income residents of Joshua Tree.
