The Victorville Planning Commission approved a site plan and associated conditional use permits for a 30-acre expansion of Desert Sky Plaza, a commercial center anchored by Home Depot. The approval authorizes approximately 311,500 square feet of new retail and service space, including a roughly 149,000-square-foot Target, several restaurants (some with drive-through service), a fueling station with convenience store and off-site beer-and-wine sales, and a standalone car wash.

Staff presented an addendum to the Desert Sky Plaza environmental impact report and concluded that the previously certified EIR addressed the applicable environmental impacts; no subsequent EIR or mitigated negative declaration was required. Staff noted the project will complete the southern portion of the Center and requires vacation of a paper street (California Avenue) to accommodate the development. The proposal includes access via two signalized intersections and raised medians to limit left turns along major frontages.

Applicant representatives said the mix of uses is necessary for the center's financial viability. "The car wash is an integral part of the project. The project would not be viable without it," said Luca Giovinardi, the applicant's chief development officer. He added market data showing a below-average ratio of car washes per resident in Victorville.

Commissioners pressed staff and applicants on the car wash location and proximity to other entitled or operating car washes in the area. Staff noted an entitled car wash about 1,100 feet to the west and the presence of an accessory car wash elsewhere in the corridor; the municipal code treats standalone car washes differently from accessory car washes attached to fuel stations. Commissioners said they were concerned about clustering but recognized the applicant's viability arguments.

The commission adopted the staff's resolutions to approve the site plan and three conditional use permits (car wash; fuel-dispensing facility; accessory alcohol sales) by unanimous vote.