Voices were raised and tempers were flaring at last night’s meeting of the Yucca Valley Planning Commission. A few of the 30 residents present were angry that the commissioners held a public hearing, rather than a workshop as discussed at an earlier meeting on home occupation permits. About an hour and a half into the meeting, Commission Chair Tim Humphreville called a five-minute recess when one resident became disruptive and demanded that public comment be re-opened. Managing editor Tami Roleff fills us in on some of the topics discussed at last night’s public hearing…
Residents wanted to talk about how home occupation permits would affect two types of home-based businesses: art studios, and selling firearms. For the most part, residents said the proposed changes to home occupation permits were too restrictive for artists, and they urged the commissioners to ban outright the selling of firearms out of residential areas. After hearing public comment, the commissioners agreed that limiting the size of accessory structures to 25 percent to 35 percent of the home’s square footage was too restrictive. They also agreed that regulations should be created that are specific to artists, and that would not infringe on the Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours or open houses. The commission continued the public hearing to its May 27 meeting, at which time it will hold a workshop, followed by another public hearing at its June 10 meeting.
TEMPERS FLARE, VOICES RAISED AT YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
