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Twentynine Palms planning commission moves to formalize policy limiting addresses for vacant parcels
Summary
Planning staff asked the commission for direction to formalize an administrative policy that would generally require a primary structure before issuing a street address on vacant parcels; commissioners supported a written policy that maintains the current practice while adding an appeal pathway and coordinating with the 29 Palms Water District.
At its regular meeting, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission heard staff recommendations to formalize an administrative policy that would generally withhold street addresses for vacant parcels until a primary structure or building permit is in place.
Community Development Director Keith told the commission staff could not find an existing written ordinance or policy and recommended a formal administrative rule to prevent ad-hoc address assignments and to improve coordination with the 29 Palms Water District. "We want to get our processes more tied in together so we don't have incidences like this," Keith said, asking for direction on whether to adopt language similar to nearby jurisdictions or include an appeal process.
Matt Schrag, representing the 29 Palms Water District, described the district's current practice: district staff generally require city permits and address verification before installing meters, but during past marijuana cultivation spikes the district used a conditional "cultivation letter" as a limited exception, with the option to remove meters if unlawful activity was found. Schrag also gave a cost estimate for meter installation, saying a small residential meter can cost roughly $7,000 and that installations requiring road boring and pavement replacement can reach about $13,000.
Public comment came from Scott Curry, a real estate broker, who asked the commission to preserve flexibility for low-impact uses such as temporary landscaping or parking-area beautification prior to development. "I would not put that on that to make an address for every vacant property," Curry said, urging a path for owners who want to add value to properties before full development.
Commissioners debated whether to prohibit addresses for all vacant parcels or enumerate specific exceptions for commercial parking structures, infill, or agricultural uses. Several commissioners said they favored keeping the long-standing practice of not issuing addresses without a primary structure but adding a clear appeal or exception procedure that would allow individual cases to be reviewed. Commissioners agreed the policy should be administrative rather than an ordinance so staff can handle routine cases but the commission could hear appeals in unusual situations.
On procedural business, the commission unanimously approved the consent calendar (housing and general plan annual status reports). The commission also agreed to cancel the April 7 meeting and return on April 21.
Next steps: staff will draft an administrative policy for the commission's review that (1) generally withholds addresses for vacant parcels until a primary structure or a filed building-permit application is in place, (2) documents coordination steps with the 29 Palms Water District, and (3) establishes an appeal pathway for exceptions. The final policy will return to the commission for further consideration.
