LoveMore Ranch Lawsuit Filed
The appeal of this project’s approval by MBCA and an ad hoc coalition of Joshua Tree Village Neighbors (JTVN) was denied by the Board of Supervisors at their April 8 meeting. Subsequently, JTVN has filed a petition challenging the January 23, 2025, approval of the Tentative Map by the County Planning Commission.

The suit alleges the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) granted for the project Initial Study (IS) was not in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Additionally, the suit alleges improper notifications were provided for comments on the IS and the subsequent hearing by the Planning Commission.

The appeal challenged the IS over the potential of harm caused by flooding, the wastewater treatment facility and its proximity to adjoining properties, traffic and safety concerns, as well as incompatibility with the Community and now-repealed Joshua Tree Community Plan, the Joshua Tree Community Action Guide and the Countywide Plan. The review and approval process failed to consider the need to grant a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for uses other than residential within the Zone.

Beyond the above alleged faulty procedures, MBCA believes this project, touted for its “sustainability” by the developer, is the antithesis of sustainable! To accommodate the development, the site would be scraped of virtually all native vegetation and then significantly re-contoured, only to be replanted with new landscaping as shown within the developer’s renderings. The 50+ Joshua Trees would be removed through a “take permit” and other county-identified protected native plants likewise destroyed.

Reasoning for denial of the appeal appears to be based on the County’s concern of potential legal liability from the State due to the California Housing Accountability Act (HAA). MBCA supports the construction of additional housing and would support the development of this property at a lower density, in keeping with the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood.

We encourage our members and supporters to support JTVN by visiting their GoFundMe site for the legal challenge.

You can read the supporting documents contained in our original appeal filing here.

During discussion of the appeal, we were briefly encouraged by Chair of the Board Dawn Rowe, when she asked Land Use Services to take measures to improve noticing of Land Use decisions. As evidenced within the Joshua Tree Resort section below, Land Use Services has yet to adopt measures to improve transparency and inform the community of important land use actions.

Luxury Resort, ‘Ofland’Recommended for Approval by 29 Palms

This 100-unit Luxury Hotel on a 152-acre site near the west end of Twentynine Palms in the Indian Cove neighborhood is moving forward with efforts for entitlement. The City of Twentynine Palms, acting as the lead agency under CEQA, has prepared an initial study (IS) and is recommending granting a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the development.

The project would require a General Plan Amendment with Rezoning of the property from Single Family Residential to Commercial, and Conservation. Additionally, an amendment to the Development Code and granting of a Conditional Use Permit will be required. This project appears to be contingent on re-zoning of another unassociated parcel in the City to comply with SB 330 ensuring there is no net loss of available property for housing.

The ad hoc organization, Indian Cove Neighbors, has been active since 2021. It was formed in response to the explosion of short-term rentals in Indian Cove and Twentynine Palms, which included converting existing housing stock as well as purpose-built structures as short-term rentals. It also pushed back against a proposed 218-acre resort planned in Indian Cove right on the Park boundary. Indian Cove Neighbors is closely following the Ofland project.

A neighborhood group, Say No to Ofland, has created a website opposing the resort and is seeking support. The Desert Trumpet continues to provide thorough updates on the status of the entitlement process.

Comments on the Initial Study are due by June 02, 2025, and may be submitted to: 

 
Keith Gardner, Planning Department
760-367-6799 x 1008
[email protected]

Another Luxury Development! - Joshua Tree Resort
MBCA has been alerted to yet another Luxury development proposal within the Morongo Basin: Joshua Tree Resort. Contrary to the procedure followed by the City of Twentynine Palms encouraging engagement and public input, the property on which this development would occur has been slated for re-zoning with no effort to alert and engage the community. An Initial Study with a recommended Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared with the County as lead agency. The comment period opened on April 25, 2025, and subsequently closed on May 27, 2025. Notice of the proposed MND was NOT provided to the Joshua Basin Water District or apparently to adjoining property owners or the members of the community.

Also like the proposed Ofland project described above, residential zoned land is proposed to be changed to commercial zoning, although in this case, Medium Density Residential (5-20 Dwelling units per acre) is proposed to be changed to Commercial. The IS did not specifically reference what appears to be the proposed development shown in the portfolio of this architectural firm with projects all over the globe. We question if the procedure of re-zoning before reviewing the proposed development may constitute “piecemealing” under CEQA where the development may again be required to undergo an Initial Study before entitlement.

Rancho Lucerne - 4,200 unit, 30-Year-Old Development Proposal
Our neighbors in Lucerne Valley have brought this to our attention. This massive development on over 1,300 acres is once again being considered for construction. First proposed in1995, the project underwent an Environmental Impact Report. The developers are pushing to utilize the nearly 30-year-old report to satisfy compliance with CEQA. Questions of current water availability for these homes and a 27 hole golf course immediately come to mind! This project would certainly contribute to traffic on Hwy 247 (already anticipated to carry more traffic from the Barstow International Gateway - BIG) and its potential effects on the Morongo Basin and surrounding communities requires careful study.

MBCA joins with our neighboring high desert community of Lucerne Valley to call for the County Planning department to adhere to its obligations pursuant to CEQA’s requirements and to perform an updated environmental review and require new/amended mitigation measures – project alterations - appropriate for Lucerne Valley’s current environment. .

For reference, the County Project Numbers and APNs are: Rancho Lucerne - PROJ-2025-00002 (APNs: 0450-421-01, 0450-421-02), Project No. 025-00004 (APN: 0450-491-01), and Project No. 025-00005 (APN: 0450-451-01)..

Comments on this project should be directed to:

[email protected]
[email protected]
And to the Director of Land Use Services:
[email protected]

MBCA will continue to track the progress of this development proposal.

New Desert-Wise Living Video Released.

Our 14th annual in-person Desert-Wise Living Landscape Tour was held on a spectacularly beautiful April 27 and was heralded as a success by those in attendance! MBCA is pleased to see the enthusiastic response to our DWL series and the continued growth of viewings of library of videos. During the Tour a premiere of another inspiring Video of Desert-Wise Living was shown at the Mojave Desert Land Trust HQ. Please check it out and ‘Like’ our YouTube channel!

MBCA offers our thanks to MDLT for their continuing participation and hosting the premiere. We’re also grateful for their offering native plants for sale from their nursery to those who attended the Landscape Tour.

Speak Up! Your Public Lands are Under Attack!

There are ongoing efforts at the federal level for a massive sell-off of public lands in their budget reconciliation process and ongoing agency reforms. The reconciliation process would allow the passage of the federal budget to pass on a simple majority vote! We join with our conservation partners at the Mojave Desert Land Trust in asking all who care about the health of our environment and the public lands to ACT NOW to oppose these efforts by contacting your elected representatives. Follow this link to express your opinion. Public lands belong in public hands!

Community Conversation on Development in Our Desert Ecosystem

MBCA in partnership with Indian Cove Neighbors will be holding a community dialogue asking the question:

How do we preserve our unique desert environment while promoting affordable housing and sustainable economic growth?

These critical questions will be at the heart of “Finding Balance,” a town hall-style forum on Saturday, May 31, from 3–5 pm at the Twentynine Palms Community Center (6547 Freedom Way). The event is free and open to all.

Residents of the Morongo Basin care about the economic health and vitality of this special place and recognize that preserving and protecting the environment is what makes it special! Ongoing efforts to create Tourism and Business Improvement Organizations are evidence of these aspirations. The continuing pressures for development with a lack of wide and general notice of these proposals highlight the need for regular community engagement and dialogue. We urge those who attend this meeting to call for the reinstatement of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council where public input and opinions can be expressed.

Bring back the MAC!  

Thanks for your continued support of MBCA and its mission:

To advocate and educate for a healthy desert environment which nurtures wildlands and our communities’ rural character, cultural abundance, and economic well-being.

Steve Bardwell, President Stacy Doolittle, Vice President  Laraine Turk, Secretary Bob Wold, Treasurer   David Fick, Director

Pat Flanagan, Director  Brian Hammer, Director  Janet Johnston, Director Sarah Kennington, Director Arch McCulloch, Director