Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met to clean up confusing and redundant language in the development code and some residents voiced concerns.
With Commissioner Jessica Cure absent, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met this week to streamline segments of the development code as Community Development Director Keith Gardner emphasized the need for consistent language.
Resident Susan Peplow spoke up regarding the storage of RVs and boats in driveways. “Even though I may not like all my neighbors, and the junk in their yards, I will support their property rights,” said Peplow.
The commission confirmed that those living in Single-Family Residential Districts (RS) could still park their RVs and boats in their driveways within five feet of the street. The ban pertains to those living in Residential Multi-Family (RM), High-Density Residential (HD) and Public (P) zones.
Resident Mary Jane Binge was concerned about height limits on art installations on a property setback – for example, a sculpture higher than six feet in a front yard. “I just think it’s a shame that you start limiting art in how tall or whatever,” said Binge. “I think each one should be individually looked at.”
Binge’s concerns were echoed by Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) Chair Anna Stump. “We do not believe that limiting art, new art, is a good thing for Twentynine Palms when Twentynine Palms is an art town.” She referenced the tall steel sculptures of Simi Dabah before concluding: “We do not believe that new art should be punished.”
The commission discussed and determined that the six-foot high limitation on front yard art should remain due to traffic safety but emphasized that residents could install large art in the side and backyard areas up to 35 feet. Moreover, a resident could also apply for a variance and the commission may rule for an exception.
The next meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will be Tuesday, July 16.
