ON THE AGENDA: Planning Commission September 19, 2023
ON THE AGENDA: Planning Commission September 19, 2023
The Commission considers recommending an Equity and Social Justice Element to the Development Code and continues to bring the code up to code
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The desert still blooms with post-hurricane senna and the sphinx moth caterpillars chomp pungent chinchweed—we’re approaching the autumn equinox and pumpkin-spice everything—so here’s your guide to spending at least one darker and cooler evening with the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission.
The agenda for the meeting includes several interesting items, including the minutes for the Homeless Committee’s study session, which was not livestreamed. Take a look if this committee’s work is of interest to you. We hope that this crucial committee’s meetings can be livestreamed in the future, along with the ever-popular Wastewater and Tourism Board Improvement District meetings.
Like several recent Planning Commission meetings, this one focuses on the many changes that are needed in the City’s development code to come into compliance with the changes the State of California has made over the past several years. Per City Manager Frank Luckino, “this will take several planning commission meetings for the planning commission to hear and absorb.”
This Tuesday, the Planning Commission will take up items from the cancelled August 15 meeting, previewed here by the Desert Trumpet.
DCA23-000012 Joshua Trees
DCA23-000002 Nonconforming Building, Lots and Uses,
DCA23-000004 Mobile Home and Special Occupancy Parks
Downtown Specific Plan Allowable Land Uses.
No study sessions or committee meetings are listed on the agenda.
New to this Planning Commission agenda is public discussion about adding an Equity and Social Justice element to the Development Code. Since the Fall of 2021, the City of Twentynine Palms has been working on an Equity and Social Justice Element (ESJ) for the City’s General Plan, which was in response to the City Council Resolution adopted on October 12, 2021, that denounced racism and xenophobia and declared them a public health crisis.
Since then, State Bill 1000 became effective, requiring that cities and counties adopt an Environmental Justice Element. A City-appointed General Plan Advisory Committee has draft the element after two years of meetings and well-attended workshops held in 2022 and 2023.
The Planning Committee will consider whether the new element:
has the potential to degrade the environment and have an adverse effect on wildlife
is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
is consistent with the General Plan
is not detrimental to public welfare
If you are interested in exposure to environmental hazards, access to quality education, healthy food, healthcare, affordable and decent housing, and fitness and recreation resources in Twentynine Palms, the Equity and Social Justice Element is full of data and worth taking a look at.
As always, you have an opportunity to comment on agenda items and planning issues important to you at every Planning Commission and Homeless Committee meeting. Please use the opportunity to question your Commission and Commitee members on the issues affecting our City.
To comment, pick up a green form at the desk, fill it out, and hand it to the Clerk who is usually sitting on at the desk at the front of room on the right side. The public can also send comments via email to Planning Commission members and the Community Development Director and request that comments be read at the meeting.
Desert Trumpet writer Kat Talley-Jones is a member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee, which is a part of the City of Twentynine Palms.
The Desert Trumpet is looking for writers! If you are interested helping us cover Twentynine Palms, send us an email! deserttrumpet29@gmail.com.
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