Reporter Dan Stork broke his report on a very long Twentynine Palms City Council meeting Tuesday night into three parts. In today’s final installment: Building abatement, vacation home rentals, two vacated positions, fire truck loan forgiveness, and a policy for unpaved roads…
Building abatement program
Development Director Matt McCleary showed pictures of a dozen derelict buildings that were slated for demolition before the RDA was dissolved. Code Enforcement was directed to contact owners, and ask if they would like their buildings to be demolished by the City. Liens against a property would have to be paid off only when the property is sold, or when the property was improved.
Vacation home rentals
Council acceded to public lobbying for vacation home rentals, and directed the Planning Commission to resurrect their work on the issue. Jay Corbin sees VHRs as unwelcome commercial intrusions in residential neighborhoods.
Gary Blackman retirement
Code Enforcement Director Gary Blackman is retiring this week, after 16 years of service to Twentynine Palms.
Fire truck loan forgiveness
After Joe Guzetta told Council that his worries about the legality of forgiving the remaining $125,000 of the City’s loan to the Fire Department for a ladder truck had been set to rest, the Council waived the loan repayment altogether, by a vote of 3-1, Jay Corbin dissenting.
Unpaved road policy
City Engineer Richard Pederson described technical considerations for establishing an unpaved road policy. Joe Guzetta sketched cultural arguments. Council voted to refer the issue to the Planning Commission for further Development.
Development Director post
In the near future, City Council will be forced to consider the post of Development Director. Interim Director Matt McCleary, who has been an employee of the consulting firm RSG, has taken a new job, and will be leaving the area.
