LAND USE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
CURRENT PLANNING
HEARING DATE: September 3, 2009 AGENDA ITEM NO: TBD
PROJECT DESCRIPTION VICINITY MAP N
APN: 0450-311-41
Project No: P200800660/CUP
Applicant: GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
Community: LUCERNE VALLEY/1ST SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT
APPROXIMATELY 660 FEET SOUTH OF EMERALD
Location: ROAD AND APPROXIMATELY 1,800 FEET WEST OF
MESA ROAD
Staff: CHRIS CONNER
Rep: MERRELL JOHNSON ENGINEERING INC
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ADD A NEW 500,000
Proposal: GALLON WATER TANK/RESERVOIR TO THE EXISTING
WATER SYSTEM ON A PORTION OF FIVE ACRES
9 Hearing Notices Sent On: August 20, 2009 Report Prepared By: Chris Conner
P.C. Field Inspection Date: August 25, 2009 Field Inspected By: Commisioner Russ Blewett
SITE INFORMATION:
Parcel Size: Five acres
Terrain: Generally flat
Vegetation: Typical native desert vegetation including numerous protected Joshua Trees
SURROUNDING LAND DESCRIPTION:
AREA EXISTING LAND USE LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
Site Well LV/RL-5
North Single-Family Residence LV/RL-5
South Single-Family Residence LV/RL-5
East Single-Family Residence LV/RL-5
West Single-Family Residence LV/RL-5
AGENCY COMMENT
City Sphere of
Lucerne Valley MAC/LUAC Recommends Approval
Influence/MAC/CAP:
Water Service: N/A N/A
Septic/Sewer Service: N/A N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission APPROVE the Conditional Use Permit to add a
new 500,000 gallon water tank/reservoir to the existing water system on a portion of five acres
In accordance with Section 83.010605 of the Development Code, this action may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors.
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY Staff Report Page 2 of 2
APN: 0450-311-41 / P200800660 / CUP
Planning Commission Hearing: September 3, 2009
BACKGROUND:
The proposed project is a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to add a new 500,000-gallon water tank/reservoir to the
existing water system on a portion of five acres. The project site currently contains a well and associated facilities.
The project site is in the Lucerne Valley Community Plan Area approximately 660 feet south of Emerald Road and
approximately 1,800 feet west of Mesa Road. The project site is within Lucerne Valley/Rural Living Land Use
Zoning District, five acre minimum parcel size (LV/RL-5).
ANALYSIS:
The 500,000-gallon water tank/reservoir is part of an on-going project to maintain and improve the existing
water system to support future growth in the Apple Valley/Lucerne Valley area. The tank will be approximately
24 feet in height and painted an earth tone color in order to blend into the scenery. Design plans which include
the proposed color and screening are required to be submitted to Planning for review and approval prior to the
issuance of building permits. The facility will be unmanned, requiring only periodic maintenance visits.
On April 3, 2009, nine project notices were sent to surrounding property owners. Project notices were also
sent to all applicable County and State agencies and the Lucerne Valley Land Use Advisory Committee.
Comments were received from the Lucerne Valley Land Use Advisory Committee recommending approval of
the project. One response was received from a surrounding property owner with questions regarding future
water service in the area.
The project proposal was evaluated through the preparation of an Environmental Initial Study (IS) in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The IS represents the independent judgment of the
County. The IS determined that the project would have no impacts that would remain significant after the
incorporation of environmental mitigation measures. The potential impacts to air quality, biology, noise, and
traffic were determined to require environmental mitigation measures to reduce the potential impacts to a less
than significant level. Adherence with these environmental mitigation measures and the rest of the conditions
of approval will address potentially significant impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission:
1) ADOPT the Mitigated Negative Declaration;
2) APPROVE the Conditional Use Permit to add a new 500,000 gallon water tank/reservoir to the existing
water system on a portion of five acres
3) ADOPT the Findings as contained in the Staff Report; and
4) FILE a Notice of Determination
ATTACHMENTS:
EXHIBIT A. Findings
EXHIBIT B. Conditions of Approval
EXHIBIT C. Initial Study
EXHIBIT D. Assessor’s Map Page
EXHIBIT E. Land Use Zoning District Map
EXHIBIT F. Aerial View of Surrounding Uses
EXHIBIT G. Proposed Site Plan
EXHIBIT H. Proposed Elevations
EXHIBIT I. Photographs