RECAP: 29 Palms Planning Commission, April 2, 2024
Commissioners vote to clean up three parcels
One of the most frequent complaints of Twentynine Palms residents is the number of derelict buildings that go unaddressed, seemingly for years. Second on that list is illegal dumping. This week, with all members present, the Planning Commission voted to take action on both issues.
But first, the Commissioners attended to internal business, the installation of a new Chair and Vice Chair. Vice Chair Max Walker will replace Jim Krushat as Chair, and recent appointee Jessica Cure is the new Vice Chair.
Public Comment
Hotelier Veno Nathraj expressed concern that “you all have been overlooking a lot of stuff” and described instances where the Commission has granted developers’ requests to waive requirements such as the Starbucks not needing to meet normal landscaping requirements, the deferring of undergrounding utilities for the Oasis Car Wash or a recent development not having to add sidewalks. He ended his remarks by saying, “I don't know whether our city is heading into a hodgepodge type of development. But I'd like for these things to be reconsidered seriously, so that our kids are not left with a hodgepodge city.”
Dangerous Buildings & Public Nuisances
Code Enforcement Officer Vanessa Cabrera presented an overview of the code enforcement process for derelict structures and offered an explanation for the delayed response:
In Twentynine Palms code enforcement is solely reactive and therefore we respond to concerns, complaints, and anonymous tips submitted by the community. Upon receiving the report we begin the investigation of the properties in question. The reason these have been pending for so long has been due to the desire to obtain voluntary compliance on the part of the property owners and due to the changes in personnel in the code enforcement department. These cases had been started and due to legal timelines, once it [the case] expires, the next officer has to start the case file again.
Cabrera went on to discuss the timeline should the properties be declared public nuisances:
Please note that by declaring these properties of public nuisance the property owner has 20 days to obtain permits to correct the issues and 45 days to commence the actions permitted, or the property owners also may appeal to the City Council.
At the conclusion of her introduction, Cabrera and Code Enforcement Officer Chris Giunta described the specific conditions for each property, which were discussed in our agenda preview. The public was given an opportunity to comment, and after brief discussions by the Commission, the staff report recommendation was accepted for each of the three parcels.
In the only public comment on the three items, Veno Nathraj returned to the podium to thank the staff and ask, “What took you so long?”
Photos and a summary of the staff recommendations are below.
Staff recommendation:
The Planning Commission declare 72383 Twentynine Palms Highway a Public Nuisance and a Dangerous building and adopt resolution No. 24-___ by;
a. Ordering the property owner to obtain a Demolition Permit from the Building Department within twenty (20) days and begin demolition of the property within forty-five (45) days or,
b. Submit plans for reconstruction and obtain a Building Permit from the City building Department within twenty (20) days and begin reconstruction within forty-five (45) days.
Staff recommendation:
The Planning Commission declare the property with APN 0624-161-19-0000 a Public Nuisance and adopt Resolution No. 24-___.
Provide the City Code Enforcement Department with an Order of Abatement to remove all the trash and debris from the property and place a Lien or Special Assessment on the property for all expenses incurred for the abatement.
Staff recommendation:
The Planning Commission declare 6531 Mission Avenue a Public Nuisance and a Dangerous Building and adopt Resolution No. 24 - ___ by;
a. Ordering the property owner to obtain a Demolition Permit from the Building within twenty (20) Days and Safety Department and begin demolition of the property within forty-five (45) days or;
b. Submit plans for reconstruction and obtain a Building Permit from the City Building and Safety Department within twenty (20) Days and begin reconstruction within forty-five (45) days.
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 8, The Desert Trumpet is hosting a town hall on envisioning the future of Twentynine Palms at the Community Center / Gym. Save the date!
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