The Yucca Valley Planning Commission considered the Ground Disturbing Permit Policy. Since 2022, the town’s policy has stated that all ground-disturbing projects requiring a building permit must submit both a Native Plant Permit and a Desert Native Plant Specialist report, the latter of which can be costly in both finances and time. Town Staff presented changes that would allow applicants to bypass the latter report if they submit photographic evidence that there were not any Western Joshua Trees within 150 feet of the project.
Henry Morales, owner of Hi-Desert Plumbing, spoke during the public comment period about challenges presented by trying to pull necessary permits and having to wait lengthy times for emergency repairs.
“I’m a local plumbing contractor who is simply trying to keep his employees busy and working. I have long-standing customers who I am trying to maintain in an attempt to stay above board and pull permits. I’m hoping you can consider the process that we are having to go through.”
The State’s Fish and Wildlife Department will release a draft report on July 1 that details potential guidelines for this matter. The Commission voted to pass the Town Staff’s changes in the meantime and lower the threshold to 75 feet; they will revisit the regulation as guidelines from the state develop.
The Planning Commission also continued their conversation from the May 7 meeting regarding parameters for mobile food vendors and vending vehicles. Town Staff presented potential regulations for various types of vendors, including vehicles in parks and on public streets, vendors in the public right-of-way, at events, and on private property. The Commissioners were pleased with the report and showed notable interest in developing food-truck-specific areas and events in town. The Commission received and filed the report for future review.
