“Stop LoveMore Ranch” group holding documentary screening this Thursday (10/16)

The group that has entered into a lawsuit with San Bernardino County and the developer of the approved LoveMore Ranch in Joshua Tree has released an update on their efforts.

The Joshua Tree Village Neighbors report that on July 16 the group joined a mandatory settlement meeting which is a process that is required in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of the type. They say that while the discussion was confidential, they can share that they were unable to reach any settlement with the developer or County. 

That means they will have to take the case before a judge, which they estimate will cost upwards of $25,000 in legal fees.

To raise funds for the case, the group will be screening the 2012 documentary “Rebels With a Cause”  at the Beatnik Lounge here in Joshua Tree this Thursday, October 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The documentary tells the story of a regional California effort that grew into a system of fourteen National Seashores outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

They will be accepting donations at the door.

The LoveMore Ranch is a planned development for a single-family residential zoned lot in Joshua Tree. The developer says that the 64 homes planned for the 18 acres is far below the density allowed, and that the sustainable practices in the development are the best case for the lot. Neighbors disagree, and they say the density and development of the lot will be bad for wildlife, native plants and water drainage and treatment on the lot, and that the development moved forward without proper notification or environmental review.