Rancho Las Flores to Develop Summit Valley

The following is an excerpt from an article about the development of Las Flores Ranch in Summit Valley. Las Flores Ranch owns the 160 acres just south of the Bowen Ranch and uses their land holdings to exchange for property that they want to develop. With their development in Summit Valley going forward, Rancho Las Flores will most likely exchange their 160 acre parcel for land in Summit Valley. This would mean that the parking lot utilized by the Bowen Ranch would then become public land. hmmmm.....

San Bernardino County is all about development $$$$$$$$$$$. It is very sad to see these beautiful rural areas become pavement and roof tops.

Desert project gains momentum
By Chuck Mueller
Staff Writer

Friday, May 06, 2005 - HESPERIA - After nearly three decades of delays, backers of the 16,000-home Rancho Las Flores development near the Cajon Pass are finally seeing light ahead for the ambitious project.

"It's a definite go after languishing for years,' Hesperia Mayor Jim Lindley said. "Complex issues involving the economy, environment, water and traffic have been resolved.'

The sprawling housing development in Summit Valley, bordering Hesperia on the south, could increase the city's population, now 76,000, by nearly 53,000 people within 15 years.

City officials expect to conduct workshops soon on a revised specific plan and amended environmental impact report, said Dave Reno, Hesperia's principal planner.

"The 10,000-acre development was approved by the city in 1990, and the area was annexed in 1992,' he said. "During the summer, we will review plans for the project, which calls for eight distinct villages and a town center with commercial developments.'

The developer, Rancho Las Flores Ltd. Partnership in Dana Point, also plans a golf course, parks, schools and a system of recreation trails. Parkways will link Hesperia to the north and Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass to the west.
"We're now in the process of filing a revised specific plan and a subsequent environmental impact report with Hesperia and hope to receive the city's approval by November or December,' said Clifford Hood, vice president for development for Rancho Las Flores.

Officials said the project, which would span six miles from east to west and north to south, is among the largest housing developments ever proposed in the High Desert..........