Council waives traffic study for South 29 Palms Outer Highway project to speed review

The Twentynine Palms City Council voted to waive the city’s usual traffic‑impact analysis requirement for an administrative use permit for a commercial development at the southwest corner of Ancilia and the South 29 Palms Outer Highway.

Community Development Director Keith explained the site borders a state‑maintained “outer highway” that Caltrans also reviews and that city policy generally requires a traffic study for projects expected to generate 50 or more vehicle trips per day. The applicant contended the site would produce mostly pass‑by trips from the adjoining shopping center and provided 11 car stacking spaces (city engineering typically expects six).

Supporters in public comment argued the study would increase entitlements costs and slow local development; they urged the council to help spur new businesses and jobs. Staff and the applicant acknowledged Caltrans could still require a study as part of its separate permitting process; the applicant said he would work with city staff and pursue practical design solutions.

Action: Councilmember made a motion to waive the traffic‑impact analysis requirement and defer further technical review to Caltrans where applicable. The motion passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote (approved 5–0). Mayor and staff cautioned that if Caltrans required additional studies or mitigation, the project could still face state‑level delays.

What this means: The waiver removes one local precondition to moving forward with city entitlements, potentially lowering upfront costs and shortening the city's permit timeline, but it does not eliminate Caltrans’ authority to demand studies or mitigation for the state‑maintained roadway.