LANCASTER, Calif. — The Lancaster Planning Commission voted 5–0 to approve a conditional use permit allowing Desert Christian High School to expand athletic facilities at 44514 20th Street West, a move that drew neighborhood concerns about safety, noise and infrastructure.

Project planner Mitzi Alvarado told commissioners staff recommended adoption of Resolution 25-21 approving CUP 25-007 to amend CUP 83-23, allowing phased construction of a football, track and field area with a home-side grandstand and a later-phase baseball field, snack/restroom building and 48 additional parking spaces. Alvarado told the commission the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 14 (minor additions to schools), Class 32 (infill) and Class 4 (minor alterations to land).

Neighbors at the public hearing questioned whether the proposal is truly a "minor addition." "It looks pretty major to us as neighbors," said Joyce Kieran, citing weekly trespass, urination on walls and the prospect of up to 400 people at events. Kieran asked for an environmental impact report, raised concerns about concessions, trash and balls reaching nearby homes.

Felicia Romero, president of the Lancaster Water Company, told the commission her mutual company’s 22 homes lack fire hydrants on the block adjacent to the school and said two local wells were out of service. She asked the commission and staff to review drainage, lights, sound equipment and event scheduling if the permit is approved.

The applicant, Joshua (Josh) Devore, described neighborhood outreach within the 500-foot noticing radius and said the high school campus serves about 200 students and roughly 35 staff. Devore said the applicant had chosen portable lighting and a portable sound system "so there won't be any light structures going up" and to limit evening events for budgetary reasons. He said home football games currently average about 200 attendees and "we average, like, 4 football home games in the fall," and that evening events would be "less than 10" per year. Devore said typical football games currently end around 9 p.m., and the application included a 10 p.m. buffer.

On seating, Devore said bleachers are intentionally lower and wider rather than a tall stadium, estimating "ranging in, like, the 4 to 6" rows. He said the project team had repaired the existing chain-link fence twice since taking possession and that they employ a safety monitor on campus.

After hearing public comment and asking technical questions, commissioners closed the public hearing and moved to adopt the resolution approving the CUP and authorizing staff to file a notice of exemption under CEQA. The motion carried 5–0 with two members absent.

Following the vote, commissioners offered brief congratulatory remarks to the school. The permit approval allows the applicant to proceed under the conditions stated in the staff report; specific implementation steps, wall-height compliance and any required permits remain subject to staff review.