Massive Bear housing challenge authorised regardless of environmental issues – NBC Los Angeles

A significant housing proposal in Massive Bear is shifting ahead regardless of critics who say it might jeopardize Jackie and Shadow together with different bald eagles and wildfires.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorised the gated neighborhood challenge, which proposed to construct 50 houses and boat slips on the north finish of Massive Bear Lake close to the Fawnskin neighborhood.

Whereas the challenge has been within the works since 2020, neighborhood members Tuesday confirmed as much as the board assembly Tuesday to voice their fervent opposition. 

Massive Bear is constructed on tourism and those who dwell and work in Massive Bear can’t afford $5 million homes,” Nicolas Berret, a involved citizen, mentioned. 

Others additionally identified the proposal plan would reduce down over 2,000 bushes and enhance noise and lightweight air pollution for residents. 

Advocates for Jackie and Shadow, a beloved Massive Bear bald eagle couple, additionally joined the opposition, including that different wildlife and endangered species who dwell within the mountains could possibly be impacted. 

“I urge you, for as soon as, to assist the surroundings that brings the vacationers and funds the large Bear valley and county of San Bernardino,” mentioned Sandy Steers, govt director for Pals of Massive Bear Valley.

In response, the challenge’s developer, RCK Properties, mentioned wildlife and endangered animals aren’t throughout the challenge space. 

“No true pebble habitat was discovered on the challenge web site, so nothing is really helpful or required to handle the problem,” an official from the corporate mentioned throughout Tuesday’s assembly.

One other concern introduced up by the neighborhood was the evacuation dangers throughout a wildfire with the extra houses.

In an announcement, the Mountain Resort Communities Affiliation of Realtors informed NBC Los Angeles that whereas it doesn’t have an official place on the residential challenge, it acknowledges that “residential developments resembling this may have numerous impacts on native housing markets, infrastructure and neighborhood dynamics.”

The street alongside the north finish of the lake is a single lane, which sparked issues for some. However the improvement staff mentioned they introduced a a number of evacuation state of affairs evaluated by the county hearth division, and it was authorised. 

It was not instantly clear when the challenge will break floor.