The Town of Yucca Valley heard from some unhappy business owners and citizens last night at a workshop meeting about two new highway projects, including more medians. Managing editor Tami Roleff was there as they voiced their frustration…
Business owners complained that because semis and other large trucks can’t make U-turns on the highway, they wouldn’t be able to deliver merchandise if the medians blocked access to their businesses. Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle admitted that the alternate routes, such as Pioneertown Road to Sunnyslope and back down Grand or Palm to the highway, were not ideal, as large trucks would travel through residential neighborhoods. “While there are secondary routes available for businesses to have access, are they perfect? No, they are not perfect.” One business owner questioned the timing of the workshop. “To me, this meeting should have been done prior to approval of the whole project.” And he also questioned the statistics showing 47 accidents between Apache and Palm Avenues from 2009 to 2013. “47 accidents in five years. Those statistics don’t justify the loss in income the businesses are going to get.” Mike Branning, owner of Unique Landscape wondered why the Town even held a workshop. “Seems like it’s already a done deal as far as the project going out to bid. How can you properly bid a project when these need to be addressed?” Stueckle closed the meeting with three reasons why the medians are being added. “Number 1, based upon the general plan policy, a 6-lane divided highway; 2) traffic safety is a priority in this community for all of the Town Councils since incorporation, and 3) funding availability exists today.”
YUCCA VALLEY BUSINESS OWNERS VENT FRUSTRATION OVER PLANNED MEDIANS
