Apple Valley City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday as it considers approving changes to the master plan for building homes at multiple sites.
If approved, the amendments would allow the construction of single-family residences on properties previously set aside for multi-family or mixed-use developments.
The first area for a zoning transition from professional office to multi-family residential would affect nine lots north of Quantico Road and along both sides of Apple Valley Road just south of Highway 18.
The second area, which includes four parcels located on the west side of Itoya Vista Street between Sequoia Road and Laurel Lane, would transition from mixed-use to residential. Three of the four plots already contain single-family residences and the new owner of one of the properties wishes to build a single-family house consistent with the adjacent properties to the north and west.
The third location, five parcels on the south side of Outer Highway 18 and east of Tenaya Road, would change from a multi-family residence to a single-family residence.
The sewer is located between 1,800 and 2,400 feet west on Central Road and Highway 18, making multi-family development on these properties impractical due to distance.
Of the estimated 20,000 single-family homes in Apple Valley, 7,726 are connected to the city’s sewer system, with the remaining homes fitted with a septic tank, Mayor Pro Tem Art Bishop told the Daily Press.
The fourth zone, at the northeast corner of Mohawk and Laguna Roads, would change from a multi-family residence to a single-family residence.
Although the property is currently zoned multi-family residential, multi-family development is not possible unless a sewer extension is made 3,200 feet east or 4,000 feet west.
The owner has requested that the property be rezoned to build a single family residence. Zoning would be compatible with properties to the south.
Redistricting
Council will hold its third public hearing regarding the redistricting maps, which will include an update to the staff report regarding the redistricting process and a review of draft maps prepared by the city’s redistricting consultant.
At the January 11 council meeting, the city attorney gave an update on the redistricting process. Meanwhile, council members have asked the prosecutor to give them the opportunity to consider a transition to a “4+1” system with a mayor at large.
On January 24, the city entered into a contract with the National Demographics Corporation to perform redistricting services, including map drawing.
A fourth public hearing on March 22 will include the selection of the final voting card and its formal adoption on April 12.
Mayoral election
The city is currently divided into five districts, which were based on several factors including geography, the use of major roads as boundary lines, and consideration for future growth areas.
In Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville, voters elect council members in their respective districts, and the councils later vote to appoint one of their own to serve as mayor and acting mayor.
On February 22, the city council voted to move to a four-district electoral map with a general mayoral election scheduled every two years.
The 3-2 vote came after Mayor Kari Leon and councilors Scott Nassif and Larry Cusack voiced support for the mayoral election, a first since the city was incorporated in 1988.
Mayor Pro Tem Art Bishop said he ultimately voted no after hearing the phrase “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” from a number of townspeople, who expressed their opinion on the addition of the mayoral election.
Councilman Curt Emick said he was unsure whether the mayoral election was the best-case scenario and many residents were unaware of electoral district boundaries, the district they resided in or their district representative.
Leon, Nassif and Cusack said their votes came after residents told them a mayoral election would allow the public to have a voice for the whole community, something that does not happen in voting by county.
In the high desert, the towns of Adelanto and Barstow hold general mayoral elections every four years.
Over the years, elected officials have told the Daily Press that having a mayor on council allows them to learn meeting protocols, hone their skills at the dais and gain support from their colleagues. council members before being named mayor.
New district maps and the Apple Valley mayoral election will be included in the November general election.
To comment on or learn more about the proposed new district maps and processes, and to identify your potential electoral district, visit av.town/redistricting.
Recycling
Council will proceed to a second reading as it considers an amendment relating to the city’s requirement to recycle construction and demolition debris from certain projects within the city limits.
The amendment relates to the city’s municipal solid waste, recyclables and organic waste code. Senate Bill 1383 regulations that went into effect Jan. 1 require the city to pass an ordinance to enforce the bill’s regulations.
The amendment aligns the city’s municipal code with CalRecycle’s published model ordinance and preserves the majority of the pre-existing underlying sections of the solid waste code that are specific and unique to the city.
School Zone Improvements
The council will consider awarding a contract to Superior Pavement Markings for the city-wide school zone traffic control update project.
After identifying road improvements, the city will upgrade 17 school zones within the Apple Valley Unified School District, San Bernardino County school campuses, Academy for Academic Excellence and Christian Academy of ‘Apple Valley.
Upgrades will include signage and tagging in each school zone to ensure compliance with the updated Uniform Traffic Control Devices Handbook.
The rollout of the recommended updates has already been completed at Rio Vista School of Applied Learning and Apple Valley High School by the city’s public works department.
Work on the remaining schools will begin on or about March 28 and be completed by May 6.
Historical places
The council will consider updating its final version of the historic points of interest brochure to include people and events such as the filming of Beyonce’s song “Spirit” for the “Lion King” at the Horsemen’s Center, the American Idol 2021 winner Chayce Beckham and the Olympic bronze medal. cyclist Megan Jastrab.
Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Apple Valley Town Hall Council Chambers, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. The full agenda and meeting can also be viewed online at AppleValley.org.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at 760-951-6227 or [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
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