Coronus solar proposal in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree residents near the border with Yucca Valley learned recently that a Canadian company, Coronus Solar, plans to use sizable acreage to construct three 1.5 megawatt installations on the corner of Alta Loma and Olympic Roads.  This is very close to homes and to newly-conserved lands purchased by the Mojave Desert Land Trust. For more details check out a recent KCDZ story on the project. Note that the story concludes with this statement: 

Speaking at the Morongo Basin Conservation Association annual meeting, renewable energy blogger and JT resident Chris Clark, who has written extensively about several much larger energy projects, said, "The 20-to-50 acre installations may well be the worse threat, in the long term."

Also check out the short article (and many community comments) in the Hi Desert Star. 

Update on the Joshua Tree casino issue

Governor Brown unfortunately made a bad decision.  Per the LA Times,  “Gov. Jerry Brown approved a plan for two tribes to open casinos away from their ancestral lands, a move that he said would create jobs and help local communities.  But critics say the plan could lead to a massive expansion of gambling in California.”  Here is a link to the rest of the LA Times article on his recent decision: LA Times blog

This does not bode well for the Joshua Tree Casino.  However, the conditions cited by Gov. Brown in his decision letters describe situations quite different from Joshua Tree. Links to his full letters of approval are below, but here are some excerpts (underline added for emphasis):

·        “A large tribal population will directly benefit from the gaming facility.”  (The 29 Palms Band is very small.)

·        “The gaming facility is supported by both Madera County and the City of Madera.”  (Joshua Tree residents have come out in great numbers against the Casino.)

·        Each tribe “has a significant historical connection with the land.” (This does not seem to be the case in Joshua Tree.) 

·        “The gaming facility has increasing public support…”  (Not in Joshua Tree!)

·        “The facility will be located within a sports-and-entertainment zone created by Yuba County.”  (There’s no situation like that in Joshua Tree.)

Here are the actual letters sent by the Governor:

http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17699 

http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17700 

Action to stop proposed casino in Joshua Tree

We are sharing information here posted on the “NO Joshua Tree Casino”  Facebook page, for anyone who is interested in stopping the casino proposed for Joshua Tree. A local fundraising effort is underway to support a legal battle through Stand Up for California, a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues affecting California. The fundraising deadline is this Tuesday, February 14. Donations are being collected by the Joshua Tree Health Food Store, located at the corner of Highway 62 and Sunset Road.

It is difficult to simplify the complex legal issue (more detail below), but it is concerned with the regulatory powers of the Secretary of the Interior to grant “fee to trust” status to land acquired by Indian tribes, which allows tribes to place casinos on that land without appropriate consideration for local negative effects.  Many local residents share this kind of concern about the proposed Joshua Tree Casino.

For a great deal more information on this and other gambling issues in California, check the Stand Up for California website.
 

Update on proposed Joshua Tree casino

On November 19, Cheryl Schmit of the group “Stand Up for California” gave a very knowledgeable and comprehensive presentation about the issues of Indian gaming facing us in Joshua Tree and the Morongo Basin.  We learned that several other California communities are facing this same off-reservation casino issue as the aftermath of recent approvals of such casinos in Yuba and Madera Counties.

“Off-reservation casinos are in direct violation of the promises made to voters that Indian gaming would remain on Indian lands,” said Stand Up for California’s Executive Director, Cheryl Schmit. “If off-reservation gaming is allowed, a dangerous precedent will be set, opening the floodgates for tribes across California to shop around for the most profitable locations to build casinos, with complete disregard for how our local communities are impacted.”

You can learn more in this article on Stand Up for California’s website: Stand Up for California

Perhaps the other most important point in her article is this:

The fate of the casinos already approved by the Department of Interior rests in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown, as off-reservation sites must pass through what is called a “two-part determination.” Although the federal government has mistakenly opened the doors for these casinos, the Governor has the chance to reject the proposals, keeping in line with what California voters agreed to when they passed Propositions 1A and 5 that allows tribal gaming to take place on reservation land only.

Anyone opposed to the off-reservation gaming facilities is encouraged to contact the Governor, asking him to not concur with the proposals.

If you are opposed to having a casino in Joshua Tree and have not yet contacted the Governor, please do so now.  We understand that a strong anti-casino message from the community may not have the desired effect in the federal process, but repeated and significant response directed at the state level may affect the outcome.  Email Governor Brown at this link.. You can write  or call the governor's office at:

Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento CA  95814
(916) 445-2841
 

Correction: No JBWD Forum on Saturday

Notice that we were given incorrect information and apparently there will NOT be a forum of the candidates for the Joshua Basin Water District board at Coyote Corner this Saturday as had been reported in the previous post.

Again, you may read the words of the candidates for JBWD on the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum here.

More candidates forums

More opportunities this week to learn where the candidates stand:

• A Joshua Basin Water District Candidates Forum will to be held at the Coyote Corner stage on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Joshua Tree Highlands Owners Association. CORRECTION: APPARENTLY THIS INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THERE WILL BE NO JBWD FORUM ON SATURDAY.
• Candidates for the Copper Mountain Community College board of trustees will appear at a forum sponsored by the Associated Students of Copper Mountain College at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 in Room 11 at the Joshua Tree Campus on Rotary Way north of Twentynine Palms Highway. More coverage in the Desert Trail.
• All four official candidates for the Twentynine Palms City Council spoke at a breakfast meeting of the Twentyine Palms Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Read what they had to say in the Desert Trail.

As well, you can read the candidates' own words on conservation issues on the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.

"Katz-Funded Group Attacks JT Water Candidates"

The following press release was issued by Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG):

Katz-Funded Group Attacks JT Water Candidates
Big Money Brings Ugly Campaign Tactics To Local Race

KB Construction of Warrington, PA, owned by the family of developer Steven Katz, has contributed a total of $7,500 since June to a group called Taxpayers For Good Government, according to information posted on the California Secretary of State website. The group, which is based in Pomona, is a registered Political Action Committee heavily funded by developers and builders, and active in San Bernardino County politics.

Days after receiving the latest donation from KB in September, the group registered an Internet domain and subsequently launched a website devoted to personal attacks on Michael Luhrs and Iona Chellette, two candidates for Joshua Basin Water District board seats. The two have made their opposition to Katz’s proposed 2,700-home development in Joshua Tree central to their campaign.

The professionally designed website is registered anonymously, but credits Taxpayers For Good Government as its sponsor, listing a Joshua Tree PO Box. Using a Halloween theme to make its point, the website portrays the candidates in ghoulish fashion and urges voters to “be very afraid”. The site does not discuss issues, but rather levels personal attacks, claiming the two “have set their sights on gaining control” of the Water District. While not supporting any candidate, the website urges voters to “Vote No” on Luhrs and Chellette. In fact, voting “no” is not an option in this race, which allows only votes in support of candidates. There are four seats up for grabs.

A mailer using the same graphics as the website has been received by many Joshua Tree voters.

Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG) does not endorse any candidates, but strongly condemns this injection of ugly negativity into the race. JTDOG calls on all candidates to condemn the action of Taxpayers For Good Government.

“This ugly campaign is the work of a special interest group exercising its influence in the worst possible way,” said George Kopp, president of JTDOG. “Thanks to California’s campaign disclosure laws, it is easy for anyone to ‘follow the money’ and see who is funding Taxpayers for
Good Government.”

In its role as an oversight group, JTDOG feels it is vital that the community knows what role Steven Katz’s money is playing in our water board election. While all the candidates have categorically denied taking contributions from Katz, he has nonetheless found a way to inject his influence. This is not Katz’s first contribution to this PAC. According to election filings, in 2006 KB Construction donated $25,000 to Taxpayers For Good Government. Another contributor that year was Wal-Mart, which donated $39,000.

You may learn more about the candidates for the Joshua Basin Water District Board in their own words on MBCA's 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.

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.

MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum now on-line

Below is an announcement of the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum and our new Website. We thank all our members who sent in questions for the candidates; we hope the answers will help you make a more informed choice in the local races this November. We also appreciate the candidates who took the time to participate.

We encourage you to check out the rest of our newly revised Website, especially the recently added Communities and Take Action sections. We thank Cyberspike, our Web designer, for the terrific work, and we also especially thank former Boardmember Lesley Thornburg for pioneering our original Website.

Don't forget to vote!

Voters curious about the local candidates in November’s election now have a new source of information. The Morongo Basin Conservation Association has posted a Candidates Virtual Forum on their newly revised Website at www.mbconservation.org.

The electronic Forum covers five local races: The Joshua Basin and Hi-Desert Water boards, the Yucca Valley Town Council, the Twentynine Palms City Council, and the Copper Mountain College Board of Trustees.

“We asked our members to submit the questions they’d like to ask the candidates, then we edited and compiled a separate list for each race which we sent to all the candidates,” said MBCA Communications Director Chris Carraher. “Not all the candidates responded, but we really appreciate the ones who took the time to reach out to the voters this way. MBCA firmly believes that an informed electorate is key to our mission of promoting the economic and environmental welfare of the Morongo Basin.”

The Virtual Forum is only one feature of MBCA’s completely revised Website. Visitors will also find a variety of resources on issues and the communities of the Morongo Basin. Active in the Basin since 1969, MBCA brings a depth of experience and a Basin-wide scope to this move into the digital future.

Besides information on the organization and its history, visitors will find resources on such local issues as clear-cutting, invasive mustard, water and air quality, night sky, and land use and development.

“On our Communities pages you’ll find links, information, and the latest developments for wherever you live in the Basin,” said Carraher. “And in our Action section you’ll find the tools you need to get moving and start making an effective difference.”

One key addition to the Website is the regularly updated MBCA blog, where users can get the latest news on conservation issues across the Basin. But the site also features in-depth articles, such as “Urban Growth and Carrying Capacity in the Morongo Basin”, a new MBCA position paper by journalist and MBCA Boardmember Mark Wheeler.

Carraher invites Basin residents to visit the 2008 Virtual Candidates Forum and to return to the MBCA Website and blog often at www.mbconservation.org.

JT DOG fundraiser a success

The JT DOG (Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group) fundraiser last week brought out 150 supporters. The fundraiser featured the film "The Unforeseen", about the attempt to build a giant housing development in Texas. Per the Hi-Desert Star:

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.

Candidate Forums for Water Districts this Tuesday

This Tuesday, September 30, the public will have a chance to listen to candidates for the boards of two different Basin water districts.

The Hi-Desert Water District forum will be at 6 p.m. in the Yucca Room at the Yucca Valley Community Center and is sponsored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. Candidates in the race include Sarann Graham, Charles McHenry, Rae Packard, Matt Perron, Bob Stadum, Dan Munsey, and Margo Sturges. Members of the public may submit questions in advance, and the forum will be videotaped and broadcast on cable. Get the details in the Hi-Desert Star.

The Joshua Basin Water District forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Joshua Tree Community Center at 6171 Sunburst Avenue and is sponsored by the Joshua Tree Community Association. Candidates in the race include Greg Alkire, Iona Chelette, Bill Long, Mickey Luckman, Al Marquez, Mike Reynolds, Jay St. Gaudens, Gary Given, and Michael Luhrs. Read the details in the Hi-Desert Star.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Water pages of the MBCA Website. Related blog posts: Water, Yucca Valley, YV water/waste/sewage, Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree water/waste/sewage.

JTDOG fundraiser Tuesday night

JTDOG is having its first fundraiser this Tuesday, and you're invited!

Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group, which is watch-dogging the Katz development, will screen the award-winning documentary, The Unforeseen. From the film Website:

An ambitious west Texas farm boy with grandiose plans tires of living at the mercy of nature and sets out to find a life with more control. He heads to Austin where he becomes a real estate developer and skillfully capitalizes on the growth of this 1970s boomtown. At the peak of his powers, he transforms 4,000 acres of pristine Hill Country into one of the state’s largest and fastest selling subdivisions. When the development threatens a local treasure, a fragile limestone aquifer and a naturally spring-fed swimming hole, the community fights back. In the conflict that ensues, we see in miniature a struggle that today plays out in communities across the country.

You can watch an online trailer of the movie here.

Volunteers to help with the fundraiser are needed; contact JTDOG at their Website.

Tuesday, September 23, at 6 p.m. Donation: $10. Cocktail reception: 6:00-7:15 (cash bar). Welcoming Remarks: 7:15-7:30. Screening: 7:30-9:30. Joshua Tree Retreat Center (Mentalphysics), 59700 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.


FOR 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.

Joshua Tree Design Guidelines on County Website

The "Joshua Tree Downtown Design Guidelines" now has a page on the County Website, viewable here. From the webpage:

On Wednesday, September 3, 2008 and Tuesday, September 9, 2008, the County conducted two workshops presenting various ideas for possible design guidelines for the downtown area of the community of Joshua Tree. The first workshop was directed toward the business community and the second toward the Municipal Advisory Council and the public. These workshops were presented by representatives of Hogle-Ireland Inc., the consulting firm hired by the County to prepare the guidelines. The goal of the workshops was to solicit input from the business community and the public for the direction for the community.

The webpage contains links to summaries of the two workshops as well as results of the "Priorities Game Analysis" and the various "display boards" that were prepared for these workshops. There is also a link for sharing comments with County staff.


FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Joshua Tree Community and Land Use/Development pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts: Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree merchants address MAC

The Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will be holding a special public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when a group of downtown merchants will present ideas and findings on ways to make downtown JT more business- and pedestrian-friendly.

Formed under the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce about six months ago, the group has been examining existing conditions and discussing the process of creating guidelines to help unify downtown businesses, encouraging tourist-related commercial development and improving vehicle and pedestrian safety, according to David Dawson, senior planner for San Bernardino County.

The public will "have the opportunity to tell San Bernardino County planners what they want their downtown to look like."

Read the rest in the Hi-Desert Star.


FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Joshua Tree Community and Land Use/Development pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts: Joshua Tree.

New JTDOG keeping herd on Katz

The following press release was issued by a new organization formed to keep an eye on development in Joshua Tree:

JT Residents Establish Land Use Watchdog Organization

Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG) Eyes Katz Project

Joshua Tree, August 26, 2008 -- In response to widespread community concerns over a proposed large-scale housing development in Joshua Tree, residents have joined together to form the Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group, Inc. (JTDOG). According to its core founders, JTDOG will educate and inform the public on land use issues, and mobilize the community to participate in the process from an early stage.

"The formation of JTDOG is a direct result of the community's outspoken opposition to the proposed Katz project," said downtown Joshua Tree business owner George Kopp, one of JTDOG's founding officers. "Over 300 residents showed up at the public meeting last March, and not one spoke in favor of this project. Putting 2,700 homes on a square mile of pristine land, and causing the destruction of over 10,000 Joshua trees, is unacceptable to our community, and contrary to the Community Plan."

Kopp stressed that the Katz project, dubbed Joshua Tree Villas, is by no means a done deal, and that organized community opposition could derail it. "There is a mistaken assumption that because Katz's land is zoned for 2,700 homes, he can build whatever he wants," Kopp said. "In fact, he has many hurdles to surmount, and it will be years before he can put a shovel in the ground. Now is the time for the community to get involved."

To assure that the permitting process is followed properly, JTDOG will closely monitor government entities, including the Board of Supervisors, county planners, the Dept. of Building and Safety, and the Joshua Basin Water District. JTDOG will keep the public informed of open meetings and other opportunities for public participation and comment. "So far, the developer has dominated the conversation with county agencies," Kopp said. "The community is entitled to have its say."

JTDOG will hold its first fundraiser, a screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Unforeseen", on September 23rd at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center (formerly Mentalphysics), directly across the highway from the proposed housing project. "The Unforeseen" relates the saga of a mega housing development in Austin, Texas, and its unforeseen impacts on the community. JTDOG, Inc. is a non-profit California corporation, and has applied for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the tax code. More information is available online at http://www.jtdog.org/ .

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Land Use/Development pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts Joshua Tree, Katz Development/Section 33.

Assemblyman Paul Cook to address JT MAC on Thursday

The special guest at this Thursday's Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council Meeting will be Assemblyman Paul Cook with an Update on Sacramento.

Assemblyman Cook was elected in November 2006 to represent the 65th Assembly District, which includes Joshua Tree and the rest of the Morongo Basin. Per the JT MAC:

An infantry officer in the US Marine Corps for 26 years, Assemblyman Cook’s actions in combat earned him many honors, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He would later use his training and experiences to teach courses at the University of California Riverside and Copper Mountain College.

Prior to running for Assembly, Assemblyman Cook campaigned for and won a seat on the Yucca Valley Town Council. He has also held leadership posts with area United Way and Red Cross chapters and is the past Executive Director of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Paul is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and
American Legion. He and his wife Jeanne reside in Yucca Valley.

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 7:00 pm, at Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Avenue, Joshua Tree.

Prepare to be spun

The Joshua Tree Villas project proposed by Katz Development in Joshua Tree would put 2800 homes as well as retail facilities on a pristine square mile of Joshua tree forest at Section 33, opposite Mentalphysics and bordering Yucca Valley at La Contenta. Not surprisingly, the proposal has been provoking strong community opposition, and we've been informed that now Katz Development has hired professional PR firm GCA Strategies to spin troublesome residents into complaisance.

According to the GCA Strategies Website:

GCA Strategies is America’s top public affairs firm when it comes to overcoming NIMBY opposition to and mobilizing community support for real estate proposals. We’ve written the book on land use public relations – books like “Winning Community Support for Land Use Projects” and “Making Community Meetings Work.” We provide our clients with overall entitlement strategies, community relations plans, agency advocacy plans, public opinion polling, and hostile audience and communication training.

Look out, neighbors: The out-of-state developers are "entitled", and we're "hostile NIMBYs." Feeling dizzy yet?

"Joshua Basin to sue over water rights"

An initiative by Joshua Tree resident Michael Luhrs that would roll back rates at Joshua Basin Water District has stalled. The water district’s board of directors, minus President Bill Long, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery, voted to initiate litigation to determine the legality of the initiative at a June 4 meeting.

Read the rest in the Hi-Desert Star.