The Yucca Valley Planning Commission began its meeting with a public hearing on a Development Code amendment. At its meeting on May 14, the Commission adopted a resolution requiring a landscape plan and landscape irrigation review as part of the Land Use Compliance Review application.
Upon review of the Ordinance’s language, the Commissioners raised concern that Land Use Compliance Review applicants, which regard a minor expansion to an existing structure, would be held to the same standards as more extensive Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit applications. The Commission recommended that Town Staff amend the language to allow for differing landscaping standards in proportion to the scale of a project.
Town Staff presented the Commission with a drafted ordinance related to mobile food vendors. Tonight was the fourth time the topic has been reviewed by the Planning Commission and Town Council; the proposed regulation would allow mobile food vendors to apply for temporary use permits to operate legally within the town. These would be available for general vending in the public right-of-way or on private property, as well as for food truck events. Vendors cannot be within 200 feet of an existing building vending similar products and must be within 200 feet of a hand wash station, complying with the state’s Health and Safety Code.
The Commission voted to advance the two ordinances by scheduling a public hearing, both of which will occur at the August 27 meeting. They were pleased with the progress made for both issues, as noted by Commissioner Mathew Thomas.
“I’m really excited about the fact that we are starting to tweak some of these ordinances for the town as the town grows. With all the influx of people, money, and everything coming up, it’s nice that we are making some changes to accommodate.”
Lastly, the Planning Commission received the Land Development Update. Town Staff noted that there are currently 165 short-term-rental permits available for Yucca Valley.
The Town also received an application concerning the operation of the movie theater, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
