Palm Springs' 'Forever Marilyn' likely on the move
Large group of motorcyclists arrested in Temecula after short pursuit
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VISIT CORONANEWSPRESS.COM
Thursday, August 01-August 07, 2024
Local. Relevant. Trusted.
VOL. 8,
NO. 182
Supervisors adopt 'Rancho Ordinance' for Coachella Valley
Nixon Fire on south end of Riverside County burns over 4,900 acres
By City News Service
By City News Service
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he Board of Supervisors on Tuesday formally adopted an ordinance that will permit outdoor events at "ranchos" in the eastern half of Riverside County under conditions that recognize the "historical, cultural" aspects of Latino traditions in the Coachella Valley. In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board approved the Rancho Community Event Facilities Ordinance spearheaded by Supervisor Manuel Perez, whose 4th District encompasses the valley. "I am very proud of this day. It's what it's all about," Perez said last month when the measure passed its first reading. "This is historical, cultural, goes way back. We're going to move this forward. It's a proud moment for us all." Perez noted that after three years of coordination between rancho owners and officials from a bevy of county agencies, they had finally been able to reach agreeable terms and incorporate them into the revised outdoor event ordinance — No. 348 — which establishes standards for the issuance of permits for fiestas, quinceañeras, graduation parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions, fundraisers and farm-to-table conventions. The measure, which takes effect on Aug. 29, will apply to specific designated segments of the eastern and western Coachella Valley, including Bermuda Dunes, Desert Palms, Mecca, North Shore, Oasis, Thermal and surrounding unincorporated communities.
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This map shows the projects distinction between eastern and western Coachella Valley. | Image courtesy of Riverside County
The baseline standard to qualify for a permit is the property in question must fit the county's "rancho" definition, being at least 4.5 acres in size, with 40% of the parcel dedicated to agricultural crops, and 20% of that derived from date palms, a Coachella Valley staple. The county Transportation & Land Management Agency touted in documents that "more than 90% of the dates produced in the United States are grown in the Coachella Valley." A property cannot be converted to exclusive rancho event use, but must instead remain principally reserved for agricultural production. The rancho event permitting process stemmed from conflicts with the county's stiffened noise control ordinance, with which multiple properties landed in trouble because of outdoor activities on the weekends and during weekdays, prompting complaints from neighbors.
When rancho owners began receiving regular warnings and fines from Department of Code Enforcement personnel, they organized and began making appearances before the board, appealing for relief directly from Perez. "We're here because of them," rancho owner Claudia Alvarado told the board in June. "We have worked so hard for three years to keep our ranchos open. This is not just about money. This is about our culture, our heritage. This is bigger ... than one community." The ordinance specifies that the number of guests per event can increase in proportion to the size of the property. For example, for a 4.5-acre plot, a maximum of 200 people can attend, while on a 20-acre space, the conditional use permit would allow for up to 500 guests. The measure also mandates that an event run for a maximum of 12
consecutive hours per day, all live music cease by 10 p.m., all outdoor lighting be shut down at midnight, and that no event operate between midnight and 6 a.m. Further, rancho property owners will be responsible for ensuring security at their locations and providing sufficient parking for all attendees, so they don't spill onto public rights-of-way, with streets turning into parking lots. Noise mitigation measures would remain in force under Ordinance No. 847, and no pyrotechnics or fire pits will be permitted. A designated manager will be required for events should authorities need to interface with someone, and ranchos will need to maintain appropriate sanitation facilities, with a prohibition against turning event locations into shortterm rentals, with overnight stays for guests.
brush fire south of Highway 371 in Aguanga has grown to over 4,900 acres Wednesday, burning into a federal preserve along the boundary separating Riverside and San Diego counties with 5% containment but no further immediate threat to homes or other structures. The non-injury Nixon Fire was reported at 12:28 p.m. Monday in the area of Richard Nixon Boulevard and Tule Peak Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The agency said numerous engine and hand crews — numbering over 250 personnel — from the county, Cal Fire-San Diego County and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames burning at a "dangerous rate" to the southeast through medium brush. "Over the next three days, a change in the weather pattern shows an increasing chance of thunderstorms and lightning activity, firefighters will continue to work aggressively to gain additional control. Residents within the fire area are reminded to pay attention to evacuation warnings and orders," Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department said in a joint statement. See Nixon Fire Page 32
Riverside County board OKs $432B tax roll report without discussing budget By City News Service
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he Board of Supervisors signed off Tuesday on a Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's report showing the property tax roll has reached $432.97 billion, without any points raised as to what implications the higher valuation might have for the county budget. The county's property tax assessment roll for the most recent base year, valued as of Jan. 1, was 7% greater than in January 2023, when the roll was valued at $404.23 billion, according to the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office. The board folded the report into a block vote on numerous other agenda items, signaling no desire to address prospective budgetary impacts or benefits. "Fair and accurate property assessments ensure that schools are adequately funded, public safety and law enforcement services are well- supported and other county services, such as infrastructure and public health, are maintained," Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Peter Aldana said earlier this month regarding the valuation. "This contributes to the overall quality of life for all residents." See Tax roll Page 31