Western Joshua Tree and Native Plant Permits are a hot topic in the Morongo Basin, and the Yucca Valley Planning Commission will review its policy on the matter at tonight’s meeting. Here is reporter Adeline J. Wells with that and more from the agenda.
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will begin its meeting with a public hearing regarding swap meets and temporary special events. The Commission discussed the topic at their meeting on August 27, when the appropriate distance for farmers’ markets from the highway garnered debate. Town Staff will present additional research on the matter and recommend that the Commission move the ordinance forward to the Town Council.
The Commission will then review the revised Landscape Plan and Irrigation Review for Nice Dream Ices, after which they will consider a Special Use Permit application for a small commercial recycling facility at the Stater Bros. East property. The proposed location hosted a non-permitted recycling facility from 2020 to 2023. Town Staff recommends the Commission deny the application as the project is located within a zoning district that allows residential housing, making the project out of compliance with the Development Code.
Lastly, the Planning Commission will discuss the Western Joshua Tree and Native Plant Permit Policy. Since 2022, all ground-disturbing projects have required a Native Plant Permit application and a Desert Native Plant Specialist report. The Commission revised this policy at a meeting in June, allowing the latter report to be waived should applicants document there are no Western Joshua Trees within 75 feet of the disturbance. Phase 1 of the sewer connection project prompted the Town to allow permits to disturb the ground within ten feet of a Western Joshua Tree. Phase 2 of the sewer connection project is scheduled to begin in February 2025; Town Staff recommends the Commission review policy to determine whether or not to adjust the 75-foot distance requirement.
Tonight’s meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center.
