The cinematic retelling of a mobilized citizen base protecting a natural resource resonated with the 150 attendees.
JT DOG hopes the same story can be told about Joshua Tree. The group formed this summer, according to a news release, to mobilize the community to participate in decisions about land use.
The group’s specific focus is the proposed Joshua Tree Villas, 2,700 homes on a square mile of Joshua tree forest at the corner of La Contenta and Twentynine Palms Highway.
The community is looking at ways to have more control over development.
While an incorporated entity like Yucca Valley has local governance to handle development issues through its Planning Commission and Town Council, Joshua Tree is unincorporated and directly under the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County.
The citizens have a Municipal Advisory Committee, but it does not have the authority to take legal action or issue mandates. This means a developer like Katz could work solely with the county through the development process.
Last week, the district’s newly elected supervisor, Neil Derry, speaking at a MAC meeting, said it would be wise for Joshua Tree to create it own specific plan as an amendment to the county’s General Plan. If approved by a majority of the county Board of Supervisors, it would give the community more control of land use and building standards.
For now, the DOGs are growing their base through donations and volunteers.
The community knows its in it for the long haul, that it’s “a marathon, not a sprint,” said [JT DOG member] Bonnie Kopp.
Read more in the Hi-Desert Star.
MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Land Use/Development and Joshua Tree Community pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts: Joshua Tree, Katz Development/Section 33.
