At last night’s meeting, Staff discussed the permit applications of projects in the initial permitting stages. Design Group 42, LLC is developing a vacation-retreat center at 59295 Yucca Trail, consisting of 50 bungalows, a pool, a spa, a restaurant, a bar, recreation areas, and retail.
The proposed Project will include a 12-residence subdivision, horse stable, and solar farm. Staff suggested there are environmental problems and this Project could take a long time to complete, if at all. High Desert Times, Inc is developing plans for a vintage magazine store and possible community center at 56695 Twentynine Palms Highway. Both projects have potential environmental challenges related to the western Joshua Tree. Mohawk Auto Body Shop and the Crown Contracting Warehouse are not moving forward now. Staff received a pre-application from the Auto Camp group for the Travel Lodge upgrade. The Planning Commission received and filed the report.
HMC Architects will have complete plans for the Aquatic Center at next Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. Bids for construction should be awarded by March or April of 2023. Staff is ready to present possible amendments to short-term vacation rental regulations, including discussing single-family homes in commercial and industrial districts.
Staff also suggests Council may want to readdress the cap on short-term rentals. The town is currently 50 permits short of the current 10% cap. Questions to consider are what happens when they reach the cap? Will there be a waitlist? How do applications get off the waitlist and become eligible for an STVR permit? And lastly, Staff suggested the Council consider if a permit is transferable when a house is sold.
