Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the Sphere of Influence (SOI)?

LAFCO defines a Sphere of Influence as: "A planning document adopted by LAFCO that shows a city or special district's future boundary and service area. In effect a sphere of influence tells landowners, residents, and public officials where the LAFCO thinks a city or district will annex in the future. All boundary changes must be consistent with spheres of influence."

A Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a county area that is subject to the influence of the Town of Yucca Valley planning because it is destined to become annexed. The SOI means that certain policies apply to help the area become more and more urban, to make annexation easier. The Town of Yucca Valley will take a special interest in how the county area of Yucca Mesa within a SOI develops because it may eventually be part of the city. For example, all building permits issued by the county for Yucca Mesa may be reviewed by the Town of Yucca Valley.

Because the residents of Yucca Mesa do not want the intense urban planning that characterizes Yucca Valley, Yucca Mesa residents are petitioning the California State agency that regulates annexation, LAFCO, to deny Yucca Valley's application for the SOI.

Can the Town of Yucca Valley reapply for the Sphere of Influence if it is defeated?

Yes, after one year.

How will petitioning help to stop Yucca Mesa from becoming Yucca Valley's SOI?

The number of protests determines whether or not the boundary change requires voter approval. The level of protests required for an election follows the "0%-25%-50% rule."

If less than 25% of the registered voters or landowners protest, the conducting authority orders the boundary change without an election.
If the protests are between 25% and 50%, the conducting authority must approve the boundary change, but the proposal must also go to an election for voter approval.
If 50% or more of the registered voters or landowners protest, the conducting authority must terminate the boundary change and the proposal fails.

Whatever happened to the Yucca Valley Town Council Open Public Hearing on this subject?

Interesting question. Research of the Town's Staff reports attached to the Agendas reveals:

Staff Report, dated December 3, 2007, for the December 13, 2007, meeting, states the Order of Procedure for the SOI is:

Department Report (Done)
Request Staff Report (Done)
Open Public Hearing, Request Public Comment (Open Public Hearing NOT Done)
Close Public Hearing
Council Discussion/Questions of Staff
Staff Report, dated August 21, 2008, for the August 28, 2008, meeting states the Order of Procedure for the SOI is:

Request Staff Report
Request Public Comment
Council Discussion/Questions of Staff
Motion/Second
Discussion on Motion
Call the Question (Voice Vote)

What happened to the Open Public Hearing? There was none. Sneaky, huh? This question needs to be addressed with the Town Council.

What is pre-zoning?

Pre-zoning applies to land in the Sphere of Influence. When the Town pre-zones such land, it is telling you which activities the Town will allow on that land once it becomes annexed into the Town.