A lighter agenda left room for heavier discussion on code requirements for new businesses at last night’s Yucca Valley Planning Commission.
The meeting kicked off with an item from last month – that’s the color change request for the newly renamed “Field Station Joshua Tree” located at the west entrance of Yucca Valley.
The former Travelodge is technically a mile closer to Morongo Valley than it is Joshua Tree, which is about 9 miles east of the site on Hwy. 62. Last month the self-described “Outdoor Hotel” was asked to bring back elevations and paint samples of the proposed paint colors. Chair Clint Stoker noted that only additional 3d perspective mockups were once again submitted, adding that the town does ask for 2D elevations – an architectural term that represents a flat view of each of the buildings’ facades. Despite the hair splitting, the exterior color change was approved for the hotel.
Developers and business owners who are looking to submit projects to the planning commission may want to start paying extra attention to some upcoming meetings. Associate Planner Jared Jerome and Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle discussed development permitting and whether the current codes and town standards still make sense for the types of new businesses coming into Yucca Valley.
One of the topics on the table was if those town standards were fair to businesses looking to expand or improve on older buildings versus brand new construction. As an example, Stueckle brought up the Casa De Tequila and the minor expansions that the Commission had recently approved:
Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle: “That project which you recently saw. they added around 276 square feet. But if they had wanted to add 700 square feet, the requirements completely change. And that’s ultimately the question we are going to address with staff to the Commission. Are those standards adequate, or do those standards need to change?”
“Mom and pop shops” versus corporate interests were also discussed as an example of how the Town’s processes and standards for construction may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for fostering the influx of new business.
Town Staff will continue gathering information and presenting the information to the Town Council and Planning Commission, with the idea that this will spur discussion to whether permanent changes to these standards are necessary.
Stueckle also reports that the Aquatic Center is out for bid, and the Town expects to have several contractors to choose from.
And finally – if you or your kids have been down at the soggy soccer pitch at Brehm Park – public works director Alex Qishta said they have been working on drainage there alongside a more permanent solution for the area. Qishta reports that the Town has secured a consultant that will look at the park and provide guidance on how to keep extra water from sticking around after storms and monsoons.
You can find the full agenda from last night’s meeting here.
