The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met last night in closed session and then in regular session where they held a public hearing regarding an appeal of the Community Development Director’s determination regarding an Environmental Impact Report on a proposed 200-unit multi-family apartment complex to be built near the MCAGCC Condor Gate called, “The Ridge at Twentynine Palms.” The major concerns for the project come from the Combat Center, the City of Twentynine Palms, and various others, and range from flood risk and traffic increase to building heights and even unauthorized surveillance of the Combat Center. In the public hearing, Eric Goldsmith spoke as a representative of the applicant of the project and discussed the six items of appeal in detailed length, Nicole Criste spoke for the Terra Nova Planning and Research Inc. Erin Adams spoke on behalf of the Base during public comment along with other residents. Comments ranged from residents that see no problem with the housing and blame the base for all the trouble the applicant is going through, to residents that saw major environmental concerns about the project. After hearing public comment, planning commissioner, Carey Alderson, motioned to deny the applicants appeal and in a 5-0 vote, all members agreed and the applicant’s appeal was therefore denied.
