UPDATED 8/17 – A reference to “fabrications” was removed as it could be interpreted as lumping all concerns as fabrications.
There was an overflow crowd at Monday’s meeting (August 15) of the Homestead Valley Community Council at the Yucca Mesa Community Center. The monthly meetings feature informational reports from County, State, and Federal representatives, as well as Law Enforcement, and Fire agencies. This one saw a bigger draw because the developers of a controversial private campground proposal had agreed to come and respond to local concerns.
After presentations, including a brief Q&A with Congressman Jay Obernolte, Developer Steve Botthoff and Project Manager Nancy Ferguson of Robott Land Company gave an overall look at their Flamingo Heights areas project with projections of maps and studies. The campground, on 640 acres at 2107 Old Woman Springs Road, is bordered on the East by the Pipes Canyon Wash and on the West by State Route 247. Robott owns the wash area but plans no development there.
The project on 25 0f the acres would see some 75 campsites, mostly 220 square foot tents on platforms with some larger chalet spaces, a store, restaurant, and a small parking lot. The decidedly hostile audience peppered their guests with questions and accusations about traffic, biological resources, tortoise mitigation, environmental studies, the permitting process, water supply, and land ownership. Botthoff and Ferguson kept cool heads and remained patient while speaking to the concerns, often shouted in anger. The County Planning Commission will make the final determination on the application for a Conditional Use Permit.
