Victorville Planning Commission approves tract map, AutoZone site modification and meeting items; chair recuses on separate item

The City of Victorville Planning Commission on Aug. 31 unanimously approved several consent and public-hearing items, including a tentative tract map for 32 single-family lots and a site plan modification for a proposed AutoZone store, and set an adjourned meeting to consider an item that could not be heard because the chair recused himself.

On the hearing for item 3 (Plan case PLAN24-00020), staff said the proposal was a tentative tract map and a mitigated negative declaration to allow development of 32 single-family lots on roughly 10 acres zoned R-1 single-family residential, south of Tonia Ridge Lane and Ferndale Road. "No lots are less than 7,200 square feet with an overall density of approximately 3.2 dwelling units per gross acre," staff said during the presentation. After no public speakers on the item, Commissioner Marsh moved and Commissioner Marshall seconded adoption of staff recommendations; the motion passed unanimously.

On item 4 (Plan case PLAN24-00021), staff presented a site plan modification to a previously approved entitlement for a 7,380-square-foot AutoZone store on a 1.3-acre parcel north of Mohave Drive and west of Elevado Road. A subsequent biological survey identified a western Joshua tree within the proposed building footprint, requiring the applicant to obtain an incidental take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and triggering the need for a mitigated negative declaration. Staff said the revised elevations and additional conditions address previous design-guideline deficiencies and incorporate agency comments (Vertex, Southwest Gas, Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District and tribal responses). Commissioner Marsh moved and Commissioner Marshall seconded adoption of the mitigated negative declaration and resolution PD-25-018 approving the site plan modification; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission also approved minutes for May 14, June 11 and July 9, 2025, by unanimous roll-call votes.

Earlier in the meeting Chair Kurth recused himself from agenda item 2 because he said he receives payment from the applicant for unrelated professional services; Kurth left the dais and the commission lost quorum for that item. The commission later voted to reconvene for an adjourned regular meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 3, 2025, to hear the item the commission could not act on due to the recusal.

Votes and motions recorded at the Aug. 31 meeting were unanimous among the commissioners present (Marsh, Marshall, Kurth when participating). Staff noted procedural requirements for code amendments and CEQA-related processes during presentations. Resolutions and case references recorded in staff reports included PLAN24-00020 (tentative tract map), resolution PD-25-019 (tentative tract map approval), PLAN24-00021, PLAN21-00012 (original AutoZone entitlement), and resolution PD-25-018 (site plan modification approval).