LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In a Tourism-driven Micro-market, Perception Is Value
Ash Maharaj writes that the the proposed E-Group Solar Project undermines "a primary tourism" corridor
Note: Ms. Maharaj owns the Harmony Motel. She sent this letter as public comment and cc-d the Desert Trumpet, asking that we publish it. Maharaj was a long-time member of the Twentynine Palms Business Improvement District (TBID). Desert Trumpet wonders where current TBID members stand on this project?
By Nalini Ash Maharaj
I write to you as a tourism advocate, local business owner, licensed real estate professional, and vacation property owner near Harmony Acres.
I want to begin by stating clearly that I support renewable energy and responsible sustainability initiatives.
However, I do not support the placement of a large-scale, 185-acre utility solar facility within a corridor that is both residential in character and central to Twentynine Palms’ tourism identity.
A 185-acre utility-scale energy facility is functionally industrial infrastructure even though you propose it would be zoned as “Renewable Energy land use district.”
Its scale, grading footprint, fencing, substations, and operational intensity represent a land-use level that is inconsistent with surrounding residential zoning.
This area serves not only as a neighborhood community but also as a key approach to signature tourism assets within our city. For these reasons, I respectfully submit the following points outlining why I believe this location is not appropriate for a project of this scale.
Twentynine Palms derives significant economic benefits from tourism related to Joshua Tree National Park, which serves as one of the primary economic drivers in the area. This is evident when reviewing the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue figures.
In our city’s adopted tourism marketing plan, Indian Cove Campground and the 49 Palms Oasis trailhead are identified as signature tourism assets within our city’s market positioning. These are not incidental locations.
They are competitive advantages that set Twentynine Palms apart from neighboring communities such as Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Landers, Pioneertown, Wonder Valley, and Morongo Valley. Hence, placing industrial-scale infrastructure in a residential scenic tourism gateway contradicts our adopted tourism strategy and weakens our competitive advantage.
We are fortunate that these assets sit within our city boundaries. They are a cornerstone of our tourism economy. And this proposed 185+ acre industrial solar facility sits directly within that gateway corridor.
This is a fundamental land-use conflict.
Visitors choose Twentynine Palms for:
Open desert horizon lines
Dark night skies
Quiet rural character
Immediate access to park experiences
Industrializing a primary tourism corridor undermines those very attributes.
Tourism here supports lodging, restaurants, short-term rentals, retail, and long-term real estate investment.
In a tourism-driven micro-market, perception is value.
As a real estate professional active in this market, I can say clearly: buyer demand here is tied directly to surroundings — not just structures.
Harmony Acres is one of the few intact residential communities defined by scenic openness and desert authenticity.
When residential zoning becomes adjacent or within industrial-scale infrastructure, market behavior changes.
Buyer confidence shifts. Demand shifts. And values follow demand.
That is how scenic markets function.
Environmental Integrity
The 49 Palms Oasis is a sensitive biological area. The Mojave Desert ecosystem does not quickly recover from disturbance.
Large-scale grading, fencing, and surface alteration introduce:
Long-term dust dispersion
Soil compaction
Altered drainage patterns
Habitat fragmentation
Dust in desert environments travels well beyond project boundaries.
Desert soils take decades to stabilize once disturbed.
Wildlife corridors support threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
Approving this scale of industrial disturbance in a gateway corridor adjacent to sensitive habitat demands extraordinary scrutiny from city’s staff.
Final Considerations
Renewable energy is important. But renewable energy must be sited with strategic long-term zoning goals.
Financial incentives alone should not determine land-use decisions.
When a project risks altering sensitive desert ecosystems, impacting tourism corridors, and affecting residential character, the long-term economic consequences must be carefully weighed against short-term revenue projections.
Our ecological assets and tourism identity generate sustained economic value year after year. Those long-term returns deserve equal consideration.
If we industrialize our gateway corridor, we permanently alter the character that differentiates Twentynine Palms. That character cannot be restored once compromised.
I respectfully urge the Commission to protect our gateway, our residential stability, our ecological integrity, and our long-term tourist economic future for the city of 29 Palms.
Sincerely,
Nalini Ash Maharaj
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i live west of Indian Cove neighborhood, on elevated ground abutting JTNP land along the foothills.
From my front yard, i view 3, soon to be 4, black splotches of ground from my higher view. one near copper mountain college, two along Lear Ave. and soon to be the fourth with the E-group solar farm.
I live directly across rte 62 from the ugly electrical sub-station with spiderweb looking grey steel power poles leading in all directions to harvest the power from the solar panels.
the whole substructure is ugly detracting from the normal, scenic view.
standing in my front yard, my view is of 9 Airbnbs versus 3 permanent residents. even one Airbnb that the town allowed to be built strictly as an Airbnb with NO intention of ever having a fulltime resident. making it in effect a commercial enterprise rather than a residential one although built on a residential zoned plot.
the powers that be in 29 palms have rezoned, given away hundreds of acres of residential zoned land when offered money. the almighty dollar is the goal of the 29 palms government. at the expense of full time residents in the area. I feel all land west of Stators market is up for grabs as long as the councils are tempted by money.
we receive NO services from the city for our tax dollars, basically TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION !
When residents are allowed COMMENTS opposing solar, Flock cameras, etc saying NO, NO, NO to items, they are disregarded while the commisioners say YES, YES, YES in opposititon.