In a 4-to-1 decision yesterday, County Supervisors upheld the Conditional Use Permit for a Joshua Tree Dollar General. More than two dozen local business owners and residents testified against the development in a public hearing in San Bernardino and from the new Teleconferencing Center at the County building in Joshua Tree. They argued the 9,100-square foot store is “out of scale, out of character and out of compliance” with the Joshua Tree Community Plan. Speaking in favor of the store were the developer’s lawyers, the property owner, several commercial realtors, and four or five private citizens. They argued the development is consistent with the Community Plan, calling it a low-density, “small box store” that would serve the community’s most needy. Third District Supervisor James Ramos was the lone vote against the project. In a related matter, the Board tabled a proposed temporary moratorium on new commercial construction in downtown Joshua Tree that would have allowed time for the community to add teeth to the Community Plan.
