ON THE AGENDA: Twentynine Palms Planning Commission, October 1, 2024
Mojaveland Miniature Golf Course Conditional Use Permit
The sole item on this agenda is consideration of a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) for the new Mojaveland Miniature Golf Course next to Theater 29. The meeting takes place at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road. at 5 pm. The agenda packet can be found here.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
After Planning Commission announcements, you can comment on items not on the agenda. Public comments on agenda items will be requested when the item is discussed. Fill out a green comment sheet for public or agenda item comments and hand it to the staff, usually sitting at the desk at the front of the room on the right side. You have three minutes to make your comments.
Regarding public comment during the study session, come prepared to be allowed to speak only once for three minutes.
You may also email comments to Planning Commission members and Keith Gardner, the Community Development Director, and request that comments be read at the meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of last meeting’s minutes is the only item on the Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 2. CUP24-000002 Mojaveland Miniature Golf Course
Theater 29 currently occupies just two acres of a 17.7 acre, City-owned land parcel southwest of Sullivan Rd. and Adobe Rd. Back in January 2021 the Planning Commission approved plans for Pioneer Park, which would have occupied the remainder of this parcel, but the necessary grant funding fell through so it was never built.
The staff report for this CUP (Conditional Use Permit) lists AHA Projects as the applicant and Anna Stump as the project representative. It's a proposal to use four acres of this parcel for Mojaveland Miniature Golf Course. The initial term would be a five year lease from the City, at a yearly rate of $1.00, which the City Council approved in August, 2023.
Stump is Chair of the City's Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Since at least 2021, Stump and Mojaveland have operated a "popup" art exhibition and miniature golf course, with each hole designed by a different desert artist, at 5157 Adobe Rd., as well as at other sites including the 29 Palms Farmers Market.
AHA Projects is a 501(c)3 nonprofit which seeks to "elevate the presence and preservation of arts and culture of various communities."1
In the last year AHA has begun supporting a number of cultural and artistic projects and organizations throughout the Morongo Basin, including Yucca Valley Material Lab, Art Queen, The Firehouse and the Desert Trumpet.
The staff report notes City staff concluded that the Mojaveland proposal is "consistent in nature with the previous proposal," the 2021 study already completed for Pioneer Park, so "further environmental review is not necessary."
Per the staff report, use by Mojaveland will include "a miniature golf course, to include mural painting, sculpture garden, outdoor classroom, puppet theater, storytelling, sing-a-longs, etc. on approximately 2 acres... [with] the additional 2 acres of land being leased for possible expansion in the future."
Mojaveland proposes building no permanent structures, but to instead place four storage containers, painted with murals, along with a historic trailer, on the site.
The Mojaveland proposal includes two phases. Phase 1 includes the 18-hole miniature golf course, mural painting and sculpture garden. The timeline of Phase 1 runs from project approval through June 2029. Phase 2 adds outdoor classrooms and a puppet theater. The timeline of Phase 2 is October 2029 through October 2031, so lease renewal would be needed for Mojaveland to proceed to Phase 2.
Vehicle access would be via the existing Theater 29 parking lot and parking for Mojaveland would use the same lot.
Maximum occupancy is projected at 90 people. Based on this, the City is requiring that three temporary restrooms and a drinking fountain be provided.
Interestingly, one of the proposed conditions is that Mojaveland and Theater 29 never be open concurrently — so any potentially fun joint event between these two fun community organizations appears to be foreclosed. Boo!
Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Please note that we do not allow anonymous comments. Please be sure your first and last name is on your profile prior to commenting. Anonymous comments will be deleted.
Feel free to share this article!
Many communities in the Morongo Basin are economically disadvantaged, so our coverage will always be free. However, if you have the means to support our work, we always appreciate upgrades to a paid subscription. Your upgrade helps keep subscriptions free for those who cannot afford to donate.
Note that donations in excess of $100 are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and your subscription/donation will be listed as AHA Projects, the name of our fiscal receiver, on your statement. Donations over $100 can be made via the Aha Paypal.
The applicant for this CUP, AHA Projects, also fiscally sponsors and supports the Desert Trumpet. The author of this article receives no compensation from any person or entity including The Desert Trumpet or AHA Projects.
Very happy to hear about this😊 This city, needs and deserves, a business that provides an activity inclusive to all, including families.
Please consider using shade sails, seating that won't be unbearable to sit on in the summer, and temporary trailer restrooms that have sinks for handwashing a d I believe can accommodate temp cords to power fans etc in the summer.
Also, keep in mind, any natural landscaping around this course will also bring its challenges, like blowing sand.
What about a "snack bar"? I didn't notice any mention of that.
Best of luck