Nearly 100 new homes could be built along Deep Creek Road, if zone change is approved

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Updated ·5 min read
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If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.
If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.

If approved by the Town Council, a proposed zone change would bring the construction of nearly 100 new homes to Apple Valley's Deep Creek Road area.

The proposed project has received praise from residents who believe the town needs more housing, and ire from some who claim the project will bring more traffic congestion, pollution and negatively impact wildlife.

Currently the area is zoned residential agriculture.

The property site of the proposed Deep Creek Estates would be bordered on the north by Gupan Road, the south by Del Oro Road, the east by Savage Lane, and the west by Deep Creek Road. The roads surrounding the development are unpaved, with multiple homes on Savage Lane, two homes along Gupan Road, and a single home on Del Oro Road.

Town Planning Manager Daniel Alcayaga told the commissioners that each parcel in the gated development would require evaluation.

The proposed Deep Creek Estates in Apple Valley would include nearly 100 homes in a gated community just south of Bear Valley Road.
The proposed Deep Creek Estates in Apple Valley would include nearly 100 homes in a gated community just south of Bear Valley Road.

Deep Creek Estates discussion will continue

Last month, Apple Valley Planning Commission held a public hearing to vote on the general plan amendment, which would change the site's designation to estate residential to permit lot sizes of .75-acres and larger.

From there, the project would have been forwarded to the Town Council for discussion, consideration and possible approval.

However, the planning commission agreed to continue the discussion for Sept. 6 after Commissioner Bob Tinsley stated he was prepared to vote no.

With Tinsley’s possible no vote, only three commissioners present, and three yes votes needed to forward the item, the item could not have been forwarded to the Town Council.

Tinsley said he was prepared to vote no because more discussion was needed on the project, which came with “a lot of opposition.”

“We need to debate lot sizes, and the project’s location,” said Tinsley, who called the gated housing community “beautiful.”

Other planning commissioner members include Chairman Jarrod Lanyon, Vice-Chairman Bruce Kallen and commissioners David North and Mike Arias, Jr.

North recused himself from the agenda item

If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.
If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.

Community has mixed reviews

During public comments, Katherine Shields, who lives near the project, shared her opposition to the project. She cited concerns over the community already experiencing issues with crime, traffic, and limited resources for health care.

Shields also mentioned commuters speeding on Deep Creek Road and several traffic deaths that have occurred along the roadway.

Shields started an online petition “Stop the Del Oro Road and Deep Creek Road Development,” which has 290 signatures.

The petition states, “The biological productivity in the area needs to remain subtle so that pollution from buildings, residents, lights, and noise does not change the ecosystem in which coyotes, tortoises, cottontails, Joshua Trees, and others are currently seen on a regular basis. Responsible agriculture and management of limited water resources need to be prioritized.”

If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.
If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.

Frank Newton, who also lives near the project, said he fully supported the project. He also shared concerns over unsafe traffic at the intersection of Deep Creek and Del Oro roads.

The commission agreed that more discussion is needed regarding improving the intersection.

While Del Oro Road has stop signs, Deep Creek Road has the right of way and connects to Apple Valley Road, which runs along and near the retirement communities of Del Webb's Sun City and Jess Ranch.

While one builder said he was sympathetic to residents regarding the proposed zone change, he also expressed the town’s need for more homes.

Alcayaga also stated that the town received four letters of opposition to the project and acknowledged the existence of the online petition.

Deep Creek Estates

A California Environmental Quality Act document provided by the state of California spotlights the not-yet-approved project that includes the construction of 99 single-family residential units on a 120-acre parcel.

The project will require both a general plan amendment and a zone change to allow for the proposed housing project.

Property owner Mark Maida, along with Tom Steeno of Steeno Design Studio, are the applicants for the proposed general plan amendment.

Steeno said the project is similar in design to Apple Valley's Stonebrook Estates.

The residential lots would range in size from .75 to 1.22 acres in the development which would include improved streets, a retention basin/park consisting of 2.93 acres, and a second community park consisting of 2.52 acres.

The current tentative tract map would be modified to bring the proposed horse trail inside the property lines.

If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.
If approved, a proposed zone change along Deep Creek Road in Apple Valley would see the construction of nearly 100 homes in an area zoned residential agriculture.

Possible impacts

An initial study and mitigated negative declaration by the town stated that although the proposed project could impact the environment, there shouldn't be a significant effect because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent.

The mitigated negative declaration public review period was from July 15 to August 15. The declaration did not identify any significant impacts on the environment concerning the proposed project, town staff said.

The project will be required to dedicate and widen Deep Creek Road to the 44-foot half-width of a secondary road section including the proposed driveways accessing the project from Deep Creek Road. Until the southern half of Deep Creek Road is constructed by others, the two travel lanes constructed with a half-width section can provide for two-way traffic.

The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, at Apple Valley Town Hall, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. The meeting may also be viewed online at applevalley.tv/CablecastPublicSite.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: If approved, zone change could bring nearly 100 homes to Apple Valley