The public response to the Yucca Valley Planning Commission’s previous meeting led to a different looking meeting last night. Reporter Joshua King has the details…
The primary focus of last night’s meeting of the Yucca Valley Planning Commission was to cover four native plant permits that were pending approval.
The Planning Commission has tried a new approach in response to the alleged improper handling of permits, spending the majority of the meeting going over each active permit and ensuring that all proper materials have been attached. Each permit had photographs of the Joshua trees and other native plants for removal attached, as well as thorough explanations for each plant up for removal.
The floor was also open for public comments following each native plant permit review, and town attorney Thomas Jex was presented for consultation.
Public comments yielded a response from former Planning Commissioner Tim Humphreville who was upset with the “extremist groups” for their “bogus” studies and “bogus” science, referring to the Center for Biological Diversity petition to protect the western Joshua tree. He stated that 65% of the western Joshua tree habitat is already protected, and further protections will harm development for the town.
Christina Sanchez, a resident of the Morongo Basin, rebutted with evidence showing more permits approved by the Planning Commission that violate their own native plant code.
