Much of Pioneertown is battling a generic county zoning proposal, they argue the county plan threatens the historic district and the desires of residents and business owners there.
Since 2016, folks in Pioneertown have worked with County staff to amend land use regulations with the goal of protecting historic buildings, preserving rural dirt roads, ensuring manageable tourism, and promoting small-scale development. But according to local resident and architect, Ben Loescher, the County may well disregard the outcomes of their own workshops and instead apply generic zoning on historic Mane Street.
“Zoning regulations should mirror the unique conditions of Pioneertown, not neglect them,” said Ben Loescher, an Architect and Pioneertown resident leading the initiative. “If the County fails to adopt our proposed overlay, we risk losing our historic structures, managing unmitigated tourism impacts, and an increase in incompatible businesses without removing the unnecessary barriers that are currently standing in the way of small businesses and adaptive reuse of our historic buildings.”
A community-proposed overlay seeks to maintain the town’s unique identity while ensuring future growth aligns with the community’s needs and infrastructure. Loescher has been leading the preservation efforts. He hopes the county will adopt the overlay, ensuring the preservation of Pioneertown’s historic architecture, and facilitating manageable tourism. Widespread support is evidenced by the nearly 1,100 signatures on a petition urging the county to do just that.
“With the right zoning regulations, Pioneertown can continue to grow without sacrificing its historical significance and unique charm,” says Curt Sautter, Pioneertown historian, landowner, and curator of the Pioneertown Film Museum.
All eyes will be on the July 6 meeting of the County Planning Commission when a decision is expected to be made.
