The Yucca Valley Town Council declined to pursue an extension to the town’s moratorium on accepting new short-term vacation rental applications last night. The council also selected a new mayor. Reporter Jef Harmatz brings you a full rundown of their meeting.
At last night’s regularly scheduled meeting, the council heard public comments about the moratorium and decided that it had served its purpose by drawing attention to the issue. Members of the council felt that new policies and initiatives currently being worked on by town staff and the planning commission, including increased enforcement of permit violations, a modified application process, and density restrictions were a sufficient start to resolving issues with vacation rentals, and so they will allow the 45-day moratorium to expire on December 17. Prior to this public hearing, the council selected a new mayor from their ranks, with Jim Schooler being unanimously elected as the new mayor, replacing Merl Abel, who will continue on as a council member. Rick Denison was selected as the new Mayor Pro Tem. Finally, the council voted to apply for a state grant that would provide nearly $200,000 for the renovation of the skate park.
