Victorville planning commission approves second modification to allow youth shelter and drop-in center without 24-hour guard

The Victorville Planning Commission on Feb. 12 approved a second modification to conditional use permit ADMN24-00154 to allow two co-tenants to operate at 14049 Amargosa Road: a 30-bed emergency shelter for transitional-aged youth (ages 18–24) and a drop-in youth center serving ages 14–24. The commission voted unanimously to adopt staff’s Option A, approving the project based on the applicants’ security plan without a mandatory 24-hour licensed security guard.

The modification, which alters CUP-18-94, was presented by planning staff as a proposal that would allow the existing tenant, IDESR Homeless Services, to operate alongside a second tenant providing targeted services for transitional-aged youth. Staff described proposed operations: daily drop-in hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; a 30-bed shelter for 18–24-year-olds providing meals, counseling, case management and life-skills training; and proposed staffing of roughly 5–8 employees from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., two staff from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and one night-shift manager from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The commission heard several public commenters, including the applicant and nonprofit partners, who urged approval without the added security guard requirement. Jimmy Waldron,…