A grassroots town hall in Twentynine Palms gathered residents, conservationists, and planners to address a growing concern: how to balance economic development with the preservation of the desert’s fragile ecosystem. The town hall was organized by Indian Cove Neighbors in collaboration with the Morongo Basin Conservation Association (MBCA) to encourage a community-led conversation about balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.
It focused on:
- Increasing transparency and accountability in local and county planning processes.
- Raising awareness about current and proposed developments, such as the proposed Ofland resort.
- Educating residents on tools such as general plans, CEQA, and community action guides.
- Encouraging proactive community engagement and organization.
Cindy Bernard, moderator and co-founder of Indian Cove Neighbors, set the tone early by stating, “We’re here to talk about how we balance two needs that are in tension with each other: economic development and environmental preservation.”
A proposed 52-acre resort in Indian Cove has ignited backlash over zoning changes, traffic issues, and a perceived failure to conduct a thorough environmental review.
Rich Good, an Indian Cove resident and owner of a business in Twentynine Palms, said, “If we’re going to grow, let’s do it right. Let’s use existing infrastructure. Let’s protect the quiet, dark, and wild that people come here for.”
Organizers urged the establishment of additional community councils, enhanced watchdog efforts, and perhaps even the reinstatement of the Municipal Advisory Council, which the county disbanded.
The meeting was part education session and part public town hall gathering, sparked by growing community concern over unchecked development projects, including a 52-acre resort proposal by Ofland in Indian Cove.
“We’re not against growth,” said Cat Talley Jones, “But we want growth that respects what’s already here. The desert is not empty; it’s alive.”
That point was made clear by every speaker discussing endangered tortoises, fragile wildlife corridors that connect Joshua Tree National Park to the broader Mojave ecosystem, and the peace that residents cherish.
Former Mojave Desert Land Trust director Geary Hund announced that Caltrans had invited a full grant proposal for two wildlife overpasses on Highway 62. He described it as a potential game-changer for regional habitat connectivity.
Rich Good gave a pointed critique of the Ofland development. “They’re trying to rezone residential land for a 100-cabin resort with dorms, sewage, and parking for 132 cars,” he said. “Our neighborhood will grow by 45% overnight, and we lose what makes this place special—dark skies, quiet, and a sense of belonging.”
The panel included Cindy Bernard, Cat Talley Jones, Pat Flanagan, Laraine Turk from MBCA, and Rich Good. Steve Bardwell, Director of MBCA, was out sick and couldn’t make the event but was instrumental in its conception.
Residents were encouraged to read their city or county’s general plan and understand tools such as CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, and mitigated negative declarations.
“Get a bottle of wine, get your neighbors, and read the plan,” urged MBCA board member Pat Flanagan. “It’s not boring if your home is on the line.”
Flanagan explained how development review processes often sidestep complete environmental studies by issuing abbreviated assessments. “You get to challenge those. You have a right to ask questions.”
Bernard emphasized that undeveloped doesn’t mean unused, and empty doesn’t mean unusable.
Attendees called for:
- A development moratorium for projects beyond downtown corridors.
- Restoration of the Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) for rural voices.
- Fostering stronger connections between cities and unincorporated areas to develop a unified basin-wide strategy.
- Investing in the revitalization of existing buildings over carving into untouched land.
- Exploring long-term shifts in governance, including the idea of a “Mojave County.”
Caitlin Gill, a recent transplant and astronomy tour guide, reminded the group that while tourism isn’t going away, it’s up to the community to shape how visitors are received.
Other suggestions made during the meeting included:
- Moratorium on large developments generating high vehicle traffic outside downtown zones (Jennifer Rendon).
- Bring back the MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) to restore local representation (Ray Kennedy, Pat Flanagan, multiple mentions).
- Community reading and review parties to make general plan engagement accessible (Pat Flanagan).
- Organize neighborhood councils and define proactive visions for each area (Cindy Bernard).
- Push back on CEQA shortcuts and mitigate negative declarations. Also demand Environmental Impact Reports (Pat Flanagan, Rich Good).
- Form a regional alliance across the Basin rather than relying on isolated town-based efforts (Aaron Gatlin).
- Explore forming a new county or pushing for more district-level representation (Atlas, Ray Kennedy).
- Model sustainable tourism management after places like Napa and Sedona (Caitlin Gill).
- Push San Bernardino County to return TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) to unincorporated communities (Ray Kennedy).
- Visual tools, such as zoning maps and STR density overlays, make data more accessible (Laraine Turk).
- The audience voiced a desire for more frequent town halls and a formalized follow-up mechanism.
As the meeting closed, a key question emerged: What’s the next step?
Organizer Cindy Bernard acknowledged that this town hall was just the beginning. Plans are already underway for follow-ups, with Desert Trumpet and MBCA offering continued coverage, education, and digital tools, including CEQA guides, sample comment letters, and zoning visualizations.
Mayor Pro Tem Merl Abel of Yucca Valley said he came to the meeting to listen. He noted that although many are eager to bring development to this area, the Yucca Valley Town Council is focused on guiding that growth in a way that respects the environment and serves the community.
Everyone at the meeting voiced that sentiment.
