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Podcast: Desert Oracle Radio
Episode:

Proposed Ofland Resort in Twentynine Palms is cancelled
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2026-05-01 16:39:51
Description:

Citing softened market conditions, the developers of Ofland Hotels have abandoned their vision of creating a glamping resort near the Indian Cove campground, the Indian Cove neighborhood, and the border of Joshua Tree National Park. 

In a press release dated April 30, Luke Searcy, Head of Development for Ofland Hotels, cited “current market conditions” that simply could not “justify the level of investment required” to complete the project. 

The proposed resort sought to turn an undeveloped 152-acre parcel into a tourist destination with 100 cabins, a restaurant, pool, community lodge, and employee housing. 

The Twentynine Palms City Council approved the project at a lively meeting on July 22, 2025. The meeting, which was moved to the Freedom Plaza gymnasium to accommodate the large attendance, saw residents speaking both for and against the project. Those against had cited threats to wildlife, increased traffic, noise, and light pollution. Others worried about a precedent of creating a new zone for developers, as well as future lawsuits against the city. By far, the biggest question: For a project of this size up against Joshua Tree National Park, why not an independent Environmental Impact Report?

In August 2025, a lawsuit was filed against the city by the Center for Biological Diversity, and Indian Cove Neighbors, a group of concerned citizens living in the Indian Cove neighborhood. The lawsuit noted that the parcel is positioned in a wildlife corridor and that the city violated the California Environmental Quality Act by approving the project without considering the habitats of desert tortoises, burrowing owls, American badgers and other wildlife and plants. 

Legal developments from that lawsuit played out this week and may have played an additional role in the developer’s decision. On Wednesday, April 28, a stipulation for the temporary stay of litigation filed with the San Bernardino County Superior Court stated that the developer would walk away from the project and a public hearing took place the following day. 

This stay requires the city to reverse and rescind any zoning changes, permits, and entitlements related to the project within 90 days or by July 27, 2026 and it would need to be on the public record by Aug 31, 2026.

The post Proposed Ofland Resort in Twentynine Palms is cancelled appeared first on Z107.7 FM Joshua Tree.
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