Land Development

Photo courtesy of Alexandra Hicks
Morongo Basin residents cherish our region for its open spaces, native plant life, spring wildflowers, scenic views, wildlife encounters, clean air, and dark night skies.  To maintain these natural and rewarding conditions, MBCA provides information and encourages public comment on land development that may threaten the very conditions that make our region unique and eminently livable and enjoyable.
dust_storm_near_Cascade_Solar.jpg
Photo by Laraine Turk
 

Problems that arise from poorly-planned developments include excessive dust from land scraping, blocking of wildlife corridors, flooding, and traffic and safety issues. 

Past developments of concern have included poorly-sited solar fields and a casino.  More recently, an  inappropriately large gated housing subdivision (see information on Alta Mira below), a chain store, and another poorly-sited solar field have been of concern.  

Our latest information on land development issues in the Morongo Basin will be provided on this page and the MBCA News page.

 

  • Featured post

    "Finding Balance" Event Encourages Involvement in Local Development

    Posted by · June 04, 2025 10:49 AM
    About 60 people attended the "Finding Balance" Town Hall in Twentynine Palms sponsored by Indian Cove Neighbors and MBCA on Saturday, May 31. Joining moderator Cindy Bernard and Kat Talley-Jones of Indian Cove Neighbors were Pat Flanagan and Laraine Turk of MBCA, and Rich Good, local business owner.


    Audience_at_Finding_Balance__BW_(1).jpeg

    While the Ofland Development in the Indian Cove neighborhood was a focal topic, information and discussion about other proposed developments were addressed, including the Lovemore Ranch and Joshua Tree Resort projects. MBCA Board member Pat Flanagan strongly encouraged that residents become familiar with their community's General Plan. She suggested a social approach of "Get some copies of the Plan, invite friends, add a bottle of wine, and delve into it together!"  

    Panel__Finding_Balance_town_hall_(1).jpeg

    Panelists Cindy Bernard, Kat Talley-Jones, Pat Flanagan, Laraine Turk, Rich Good
    Photos courtesy Bob Wold


    Broad interest was expressed in pressuring San Bernardino County to “Bring Back the MAC,” i.e. the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council.” A MAC is a legal entity set up to communicate information and receive recommendations from residents in unincorporated areas.

    Mojave Desert Land Trust Board member Geary Hund brought news of approval for a planning grant for two wildlife crossings on Highway 62.

    Z107.7's extended online reporting on the Finding Balance Town Hall provides a thorough overview of topics covered, as does the Desert Trumpet's coverage.

    Here is a link to a full recording of the meeting.
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  • Featured post

    Lovemore Ranch Appeal Denied by Supervisors

    Posted by · April 08, 2025 2:33 PM
    After hearing three hours of public comment, the San Bernardino County Supervisors unanimously denied the appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of the Lovemore Ranch housing project. The appeal was filed by MBCA and supported by the Joshua Tree Village Neighbors group and others. Public comments were almost entirely in support of the appeal. You can view the entire hearing by clicking "video" on the April 8 line of the list of Supervisor meetings at this page; timestamps for various stages of the appeal are shown below. Read or listen to the Z107.7 radio report here.

    Appeal Item #42 begins at 30:40
       32:05 – Mark Wardlaw, head of Land Use Services, responds to MBCA’s appeal specifics.
       44:40 – Begin presentation by appellant (MBCA and Joshua Tree Village Neighbors)
    1:00:36 – Begin presentation by project proponent (Lovemore Ranch)
    1:13:13 – Begin public comment at San Bernardino Location
    1:47:11 – Begin public comment at Joshua Tree Community Center
    2:27:15 – RECESS
    2:43:00 – Restart public comment at Joshua Tree Community Center
    3:06:00 – Final comments from project proponent (Lovemore Ranch)
    3:15:09 – Final comments from appellant (MBCA and JTVN)
    3:21:52 – Board Chair Dawn Rowe begins questions to Staff
    3:33:50 – Chair Rowe asks County Counsel about State Housing Affordability Act
    3:35:12 – Chair Rowe asks for Supervisor Questions
    3:44:25 – Public Hearing is Closed and Supervisors vote to deny the appeal.

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  • Featured post

    MBCA Comments on Proposed Changes to Wind Turbine Specifications

    Posted by · March 04, 2025 3:53 PM
    In this letter to San Bernardino County Senior Planner Maryn Wells, MBCA expresses concerns about a proposed Development Code amendment that would permit expansion of the generating capacity of wind turbines Countywide. With the potential for placement of 100-foot tall wind turbines within the Rural Living Zone, MBCA is calling for the imposition of a Conditional Use Permit for the permitting of wind turbines throughout the County. Especially in desert communities, the installation of 30 to 40 foot diameter turbines presents health and safety concerns as well as threats to wildlife and the natural environment.
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  • Featured post

    MBCA Appeals Planning Commission Approval of Lovemore Ranch

    Posted by · February 21, 2025 10:28 AM
    On February 3 MBCA filed an appeal of the January 23 Planning Commission approval of the Lovemore Ranch Development in Joshua Tree. (Relevant County project documents prepared by the developer and reports by the County can be found by clicking Lovemore Ranch on this page.) The appeal is based on, among other things, a deficient staff report by Land Use Services and an inaccurate CEQA initial Study, not presenting comment letters on the project by MBCA and other community members to the Planning Commissioners, not addressing proposed use within the zone that requires a Conditional Use Permit, inconsistencies with the policies of the Countywide Plan, as well as improper and insufficient noticing of the hearing. MBCA paid the $1,192 appeal fee and received notification the appeal was successfully submitted. MBCA has been joined in the appeal by an ad hoc community group: Joshua Tree Village Neighbors. Per the established procedure for this appeal to be heard by the Board of Supervisors, a date for the hearing must be set within 30 days of the submission of the Appeal. 

    Below are links to the multiple exhibits and descriptions of circumstances relevant to the appeal. MBCA will publish updates on the appeal as they occur.

    1-INDEX of documents
    2-Appeal cover letter FINAL - 2
    3-Appeal Part One  Illegitimate Public Review Process - FINAL
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  • Featured post

    President Biden Designates Chuckwalla National Monument

    Posted by · January 07, 2025 2:07 PM
    Despite having to reschedule the official signing ceremony due to extreme winds in southern California, President Biden today designated Chuckwalla National Monument in the California desert and also Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California. (Enjoy this PBS video of the actual ceremony on January 14.) The Chuckwalla designation honors the cultural significance of desert lands for several Tribal Nations as well as securing over 600,000 acres of carbon-sequestering land from inappropriate development. Using the Antiquities Act in lieu of stalled Congressional action, the designation is the culmination of concerted and committed efforts by many "desert defenders" and Tribal Nations, including MBCA's Board and supporters. MBCA attended the launch of the Monument designation effort in September 2023, and also participated in the Public Hearing in June 2024
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  • Featured post

    MBCA Outlines Ongoing and New Problems with Sienna Solar Project

    Posted by · September 30, 2024 2:55 PM
    For the third time in two years, MBCA has addressed both continuing and changing concerns about the proposed Sienna Solar and Storage Project in the Lucerne Valley area. The latest letter emphasizes unaddressed points made in our September 22, 2022 letter, as well as significant changes in the latest project proposal compared to the 2017 Planning Project Notice. Our letter also includes references and links to the Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity document that includes significant contributions by MBCA Board members, and a letter of concern from MBCA and local residents in April 25, 2022.
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  • Featured post

    BLM Extends Public Comment on Morongo Valley Communications Tower

    Posted by · September 17, 2024 7:02 PM
    MBCA addressed concerns about the proposed 196-foot communications tower in Morongo Valley in this 2022 post. The latest version of the Environmental Assessment (at 422 pages) was published late this summer. On September 13 BLM republished its earlier Press Release to include a new public comment extension to October 7. Concerned Morongo Valley residents have created guidelines showing how to comment and containing "substantive comment" language for the main concerns of the local community. 
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  • Featured post

    MBCA Joins Appeal against Weakening California Environmental Protections

    Posted by · August 20, 2024 2:52 PM
    As the California Legislative session draws to a close, MBCA has joined with 93 other organizations signing a letter opposing efforts to "gut and amend" legislation that would weaken environmental protections without public input. 
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  • Featured post

    Video Examines Aratina Solar Project Approval and Joshua Tree Destruction

    Posted by · August 08, 2024 4:56 PM
    A new YouTube video explores the history of protection for Joshua trees and the controversially approved destruction of 4000 Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Kern County. 
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  • Featured post

    MBCA Questions Joshua Tree Housing Development Proposal

    Posted by · August 07, 2024 3:51 PM
    Local Joshua Tree residents alerted MBCA about receiving a notice from the County about a proposed housing project in their neighborhood. Recipients were offered the opportunity to comment on a Tentative Tract map application to subdivide about 18.5 undeveloped acres into 64 parcels of "minimal impact" homes. MBCA's comments highlight the lack of information on the project and insufficient time window for providing comments. We question any claims concerning sustainability and responsible growth and development. Also addressed is the lack of progress on encouraging affordable housing after acknowledgment by the Supervisors of the ill-effects of a surfeit of STRs in Joshua Tree. We emphasize this is a project requiring analysis under CEQA for impacts due to aesthetics, flooding, flora, traffic, and wastewater.
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