Miss Yucca Valley and Court were introduced at last night’s Yucca Valley Town Council meeting. Board Chair and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe presented a County update and gave a special tribute to Bob Armstrong, a long-time resident, and presented him with a flag flown over the State Capital in homage to him.
Board Chair and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said King of the Hammers is now finished but had kicked up dust and mud. The race promoter gave funds to the Improvement Associations to help lessen the impact.
Next, Staff reviewed the Essig Park Survey, which had 371 responses and closed in December. Upgrades to be incorporated into the design for the park are shade elements, more playground features, additional water fountains, paving the walking path, lighting improvements, and the grass was very important to residents. All suggestions and comments were considered and will be used to draft a design plan.
Lastly, the Council discussed regulations for the Town-wide mural program which will be developed and brought to the Planning Commission.
Board Chair and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said King of the Hammers is now finished but had kicked up dust and mud. The race promoter gave funds to the Improvement Associations to help lessen the impact. In addition, the Council received and filed the Department report on 2023 legislative priorities. Bills that have been introduced into legislation include the Western Joshua Tree legislation. This report will give the Council insight and direction.
Next, Staff reviewed the Essig Park Survey, which had 371 responses and closed in December. Shade elements got the biggest response from residents, along with more playground features. Additional upgrades include more water fountains, paved walking paths, lighting improvements, and additional seating. Turf improvements will be considered, but keeping and maintaining grass in the park was high on many people’s lists. Resident input requested the Council considers a trail loop in the outer areas of the park. Dog play equipment also scored well in the questionnaire, and lastly, the Commissioners requested that the playground equipment be looked out and evaluated for safety regularly.
Cole Gibson, a resident, asked the Council to consider introducing Disc golf into the park design. Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is gaining in popularity. During Council member comments, Council member Merl Abel said the dog park is a well-used and important social area for residents. He suggested solar lighting and was pleased by the idea of walkways for wheelchairs and strollers. Staff will compare the notes from tonight’s meeting to the park’s master plan. Then Parks Recreation and Cultural Commission will present their recommendations to the Town Council. Then, depending on input and direction, town staff can engage design professionals to proceed with the final design and construction.
After the Essig park discussions, Evan Willoughby, the town’s assistant planner, presented an in-depth look at the Town-wide Mural Program, giving mural examples from other towns in a comprehensive slide presentation. In a previous meeting on August 16, 2022, the town council removed mural regulations from the town sign ordinance and recommended a standalone policy for regulating murals. The definition of a sign provided by the current ordinance is any signage intended or used to advertise or indicate the name of the business. Points considered in the discussion for murals are criteria, location, advertising regulations, and the overall number of murals. Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle said the Highway beautification effort, Old Town parking, public areas, and murals all worked together to improve the town’s image and work as a comprehensive program. All input will be considered and brought back to the Council.
In other business, Chipotle is going to the planning commission on March 14. Diamond Automotive will be Star Restaurant, a combination of restaurant, coffee house, and retail shopping. Nice Dreams will be a full-service restaurant, and an application for a Second Starbucks at Stater Bros West has been submitted. In the final business, Staff was informed by the High Desert Water District that Phase Two of the sewer project is scheduled to be completed by 2024.
