Council extends Rancho Vista tentative map to 2029 for 65‑home project; applicant cites Joshua tree mitigation hurdles

The council adopted Ordinance 16‑51 on a unanimous vote to approve a two‑year time extension (24‑0006) and a major modification (24‑0008) to previously approved tentative tract map 60500 for a 30.68‑acre site south of Vista Point Way and west of Rancho Vista Boulevard. The approval extends the map to April 3, 2029 and retains the original map’s layout, allowing the subdivision of the site into 66 lots to facilitate construction of 65 single‑family residences and one detention basin.

Planning staff explained the map was originally approved in February 2006 and has since had extensions exercised by the city and the state. The project was presented to the council with aerial photographs and staff recommended adoption of the ordinance to facilitate development.

During the hearing the project applicant said the primary remaining hurdle has been changing guidance from state wildlife authorities on how Joshua trees are counted and mitigated. The applicant said the new counting approach increased the tree total from a few hundred to roughly ten times that number on the site, driving per‑tree mitigation costs and raising questions about possible relocation requirements for a percentage of trees (applicant cited a 20% relocation figure as an example). The applicant said those increased mitigation counts and resulting costs have slowed progress toward bringing a home builder to the site.

No members of the public submitted speaker cards on the item. Council moved and seconded the ordinance and approved it by unanimous roll call vote.

Ending: The extension allows the applicant additional time to resolve biological mitigation requirements and seek a builder; the council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance as recommended by staff.