Appeal of LoveMore Ranch Hearing Set
The appeal of the planning commission recommendation for approval of LoveMore Ranch will be heard by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) on Tuesday April 8, 2025. MBCA and members of the Joshua Tree Village Neighbors will present a case asking the BOS to deny certification of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the project. Our appeal of the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the 64-unit subdivision on 18.49 acres of intact desert in the heart of Joshua is based, among others, on a deficient Staff Report and CEQA Initial Study, not considering the requirement for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for elements of the proposed development, inconsistencies of the development with the policies of the Countywide plan, the exclusion of comment letters in information presented to the planning commissioners, and insufficient and improper notifications of the hearings. You can read the supporting documents contained in our original appeal filing here.
This gated community with a Homeowners Association would have lots considerably smaller than most in the Joshua Tree and the homes would be priced substantially above the average. The costs to develop the project will be substantial, with mass grading (30,000 cubic yards of cut and fill!), denuding the parcel of virtually all the existing plants and then the need to re-landscape the parcel(!). The construction of streets, common facilities, and a Wastewater treatment facility will further add to the costs. We are concerned the market for this type of home, so out of character with the existing community, will be very limited and we question if this project is economically viable.
We are also cognizant of the potential for this development to be a de-facto hotel consisting of Short-Term Rentals. The ordinance as now written would not prohibit such a possibility. The proposed common recreational facilities of a pool, meeting room, ‘learning center’, pickle-ball courts and swimming pool would be ‘ideal’ for such a use.
This development has been under consideration for many years with the developer making a well-attended community presentation in August of 2024. Though attendees provided their contact information at that meeting, it appears there were no/or few notices of the comment period on the Initial Study or subsequent hearings to the meeting attendees.
The hearing will be held at the County Government Center in San Bernardino as well as remote facilities at the Joshua Tree Community Center and the High Desert Government Center in Hesperia.
| When: |
April 8, 2025 at 10:00 – 1:00 (approximately!) |
| Where: |
San Bernardino County Government Center
385 N Arrowhead Ave
San Bernardino, California 92415 |
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and |
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The Joshua Tree Community Center
6171 Sunburst Street
Joshua Tree, California 92252 |
Follow this
link for specific information. Note that the remote venue for this hearing is NOT the Government Center in Joshua Tree, but the Community Center. The lack of wide and general notice of the hearings for this development points to the need for regular community engagement. We encourage attendees at this hearing to call for the reinstatement of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council. Bring back the MAC!
Attend California Desert Coalition Meeting on changes to NEPAThe
California Desert Coalition is holding a workshop on the new realities of environmental protection by the current administration by offering this primer on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The workshop will be led by attorneys of the environmental law firm, Advocates of the West. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. Registration is limited and advised. (MBCA’s
calendar notice of the event will add the RSVP link when available.)
| When: |
April 12, 2025, 2:00 pm |
| Where: |
Bell Center Community Room |
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Copper Mountain College, Joshua Tree Ca
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Desert-Wise Landscape Tour April 27, 2025This year will mark the 14th year of our in-person spring
Desert Wise Landscape tour to held on Sunday, April 27. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this popular in-person Tour of landscapes throughout the Morongo Basin. In anticipation of the Tour, check out, and ‘like’, our
YouTube Channel with many videos of Desert Wise Landscapes and tips for incorporating native plants, and water-wise, energy-efficient environments! Registration information will become available in early April. We were pleased to see many of the MBCA community at the Joshua Tree event this last Saturday! Your
continued support is more important than ever as we pursue our mission: To advocate and educate for a healthy desert environment which nurtures wildlands and our communities’ rural character, cultural abundance, and economic well-being.
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