Commission hears conceptual plan for 20‑acre RV park; members and mayor question central location

The Planning Commission on Jan. 6 discussed a conceptual proposal for a 20‑acre recreational vehicle (RV) park in California City’s RA (residential/agricultural) zone. Staff presented the item as discussion-only and noted that RV parks are not permitted by right in RA but may be allowed through a conditional-use permit.

Staff said the applicant’s concept includes internal circulation, dust control, security fencing, storage areas, some off‑highway‑vehicle (OHV) related uses, and connections to utilities. An online applicant representative (identified in the discussion as Kelly) said the conceptual plan shows roughly 88 pads (about 20-by-60 slabs), with proposed amenities such as laundry, showers and potentially a future pool. The applicant said they planned for electricity, water and sewer hookups and to add solar generation; the applicant also raised the possibility of including permanent locations to improve design consistency, saying the final determination on permanency would be a planning decision.

Commissioners and members of the public raised operational and siting concerns. Commissioners asked whether sewer service exists to the site (a public commenter flagged potential lack of sewer and the need for septic), questioned ingress/egress and fire‑safety considerations for storage containers, and asked whether the project would be transient or function more like a mobile‑home park. One commissioner noted that the parcel is immediately adjacent to existing residential units on multiple sides and said they could not support the project at that location. The applicant asked whether the commission’s conceptual interest justified further investment in detailed plans.

Mayor Hawkins, participating by Zoom, urged that central and strategic city parcels be reserved for uses that strengthen the tax base and support long‑term jobs, saying an RV park near the city center would be a "low intensity transitional use" that could discourage future investment and strain infrastructure. "Central land must be protected for development that delivers long lasting value, stability, and opportunities for our residents," Hawkins said.

Staff and the commission did not act on the proposal; commissioners requested further information and a site visit before any formal hearing or recommendation. The applicant indicated that if the commission is not conceptually interested, they would prefer to know before investing significant funds in the project.