The River's Edge Ranch

The River's Edge Ranch project, located on a 20-acre site at 33433 South Haynes Road in Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, involves the expansion of an existing residential care facility to increase capacity from 40 to 115 male occupants with 5 staff members. The development includes approximately 19,143 square feet of new indoor space, consisting of an expanded Administrative Building and a new Bunk House, along with 45,000 square feet of outdoor impervious areas for parking and access. To facilitate this growth, the project will demolish approximately 8,000 square feet of existing structures, including a basketball court, dog pen, and shed, while relocating a tool shed, playground, horse wash station, and two corrals. Access will be improved by replacing two 12-foot gates with a single 40-foot gate. The project is being processed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with a Mitigated Negative Declaration. Comprehensive technical studies have been conducted to ensure regulatory compliance, including a geotechnical evaluation confirming site feasibility, a drainage study for flood protection, and a sewage disposal feasibility report. Environmental assessments have addressed air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, traffic and vehicle miles traveled, and biological resources, with specific mitigation measures required for the protection of desert tortoises, burrowing owls, and nesting birds. Additionally, the project has been cleared through a Phase I Cultural Resources Study and is exempt from certain Water Quality Management Plan requirements. Fire protection infrastructure is being upgraded to support the increased occupancy in accordance with NFPA and county standards.