Victorville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Victorville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Civic Center Plaza and Police Station Project
Ordinance No. 2472 would change the Civic Center Specific Plan to allow government facilities like police stations in the Civic Mixed use district. It's the zoning piece of the plan for a new police station and public park at Seneca Road and Civic Drive.
Sewer Diversion at Winona and 11th Avenue
The city is investing about $261,000 in sewer infrastructure improvements at Winona and 11th Avenue. Better sewer capacity means fewer maintenance headaches for the neighborhood and supports future growth.
Legacy LMAD underfunding and sustainability
Victorville's four legacy landscape maintenance districts can't charge more without a new ballot because they lack an annual inflator. Rising costs have forced service cuts, and the city has been testing xeriscape projects and grant funding as workarounds. The workshop was set to chart the path forward.
City Pavement Management and Roadway Maintenance
Valley Park Lane will lose its collector designation on the General Plan map, matching what the Civic Center Specific Plan already assumed — a paperwork fix with no construction involved.
Strategic Plan 2026-2029 Adoption
The City Council is reviewing its multi-year goals, mission, and vision to guide future municipal operations and capital investments. Topics include financial sustainability, public safety enhancements, and community development initiatives.
Lane's Crossing Utility Undergrounding Dispute
Residents living near the Lane's Crossing subdivision raised safety and aesthetic concerns after overhead utility poles were inadvertently installed along Mesa Street. The commission approved a compromise requiring the developer to underground lines fronting existing homes within 24 months, while leaving other poles until future adjacent land is developed.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Standards Update
The city is updating its zoning code to align with recent California ADU and JADU laws. These updates streamline permitting and allow up to eight detached ADUs on qualifying multifamily properties.
Take 5 Oil Change Facility Development
The commission approved a conditional use permit and site plan for a new 1,412-square-foot Take 5 drive-through oil change facility on Bear Valley Road. The project is contingent on the coordinated development of an adjacent restaurant to meet minimum shopping center size requirements.
Emergency Shelters and Care Facilities Zoning Alignment
The city updated its municipal code to align local rules with state laws regarding emergency shelters, low-barrier navigation centers, and large residential care facilities. These changes reduce parking requirements for shelters and permit larger care facilities in residential zones.
Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Infill
Victorville is writing new objective design standards that will control how future apartment and multi-family buildings look and are laid out. Because state housing laws limit cities' subjective design review, these written standards are now the city's main tool for shaping development aesthetics — and residents' input now shapes what gets drafted.
Baldy Mesa Water District Debt Early Redemption
The water district is paying off $6.3 million in old debt early using cash reserves to save on interest and keep water rate increases low.
Wellness Center Workforce Development and Support
The city expanded contracts with Goodwill Industries and Symba Center to provide job training, wraparound services, and street outreach for homeless individuals.
Emergency Ambulance Service Partnership with Confire
The Victorville Fire Department entered into an agreement with Consolidated Fire Agencies to provide backup and surge ambulance transport services across the county.
Abandoned Vehicles and Code Compliance
The city approved a three-year contract to mount AI cameras on street sweepers and code enforcement vehicles to automatically detect blight and property violations.
Expansion of Automated License Plate Reader Camera Network
Victorville is adding four more automated license plate reader cameras to police patrol cars using Homeland Security grant funds to help solve crimes faster.
Northgate Village Rehabilitation Project Re-bidding
Because the only construction bid came in higher than available housing grant funds, the city is scaling down and re-scoping the affordable housing renovation project.
Bellflower Street Residential Subdivision Continuance
A 40-acre, 138-lot housing project cleared its final local hurdle after Caltrans traffic-study comments caused two continuations. Lots run 7,200 to 14,376 square feet at roughly 3.5 units per acre, with dual-use drainage basins doubling as recreation space.
Old Town Specific Plan Updates
The city is updating rules for the Old Town neighborhood to make it easier to host farmers' markets, put up temporary signs, and paint historic wall murals. These changes are designed to support local businesses and spark pedestrian activity ahead of the Route 66 centennial.
Public Safety and Homelessness Response Operations
Victorville's unsheltered homeless count dropped 26% this year — from 141 to 104 — and is down 68% over two years. The city is no longer ranked second in the county for overall homelessness.
1MG SCLA Reclaimed Water Reservoir 2 Project
To support growing industrial needs around the airport, the water board approved building a new 1-million-gallon reclaimed water storage tank and upgrading electrical lines. The project replaces an aging, problematic rubber-lined pond.
Turnout No. 5 Water Pipeline Project
The city is building a 1.25-mile pipeline to connect Victorville's water system to the Mojave Water Agency's regional storage and recovery network. This helps secure supplemental water supplies and assists in blending down naturally occurring arsenic.
70-home subdivision near GreenTree/Sixth
A new 70-lot neighborhood is approved at Green Tree and Sixth, west of the post office. Commissioners flagged existing traffic backups on Yates Road at Green Tree, but no improvements to Yates are planned with this project.
Old Town revitalization rulebook update
New, clearer rules for farmers markets, murals, public art and signage in Old Town aim to bring pedestrian life back to Seventh Street ahead of the street redesign. Applications will now have a defined path through the city.
New police station and civic park delayed by noticing error
The city's plan to replace its undersized police headquarters with a 54,892-square-foot station plus a 3.3-acre park got pushed a month because not all affected property owners got the legally required notices. It returns September 9.
Delinquent Utility Fee Property Tax Liens
The city and water district approved placing unpaid water, rubbish, sewer, and storm drain fees onto annual property tax rolls as liens.
Water Rate Study and Proposed 4% Annual Rate Increase
The budget assumes year-four rate hikes of 3% for sewer, 5% for solid waste, and a 4% water increase under the new five-year rate plan, plus an 18% street lighting charge increase driven by Edison's rising costs.
Proposed 1% General Sales Tax Ballot Measure
City leaders are considering putting a 1% sales tax increase on the November ballot to help pay for an estimated $865 million in backlogged infrastructure needs, including fixing roads, expanding police and fire stations, protecting water supplies, and improving parks.
54-lot subdivision at Pena and Olivera Roads
A 15-acre, 54-lot single-family subdivision was approved on the west side of town, with lots averaging over 8,000 square feet and a dual-purpose drainage/recreation basin for future residents.
Tractor Supply store in Desert Sun Plaza
A new Tractor Supply with outdoor trailer and UTV sales is coming to the Desert Sun Plaza near Winco, adding retail options with three access points and screening walls facing nearby apartments.
Mach Industries Defense Tech Acquisition of Exquadrum
Local aerospace employer Exquadrum announced its recent acquisition by Mock Industries, with plans to expand operations and workforce at the Southern California Logistics Airport.
FY 2026-2027 Comprehensive Budget Adoption
Staff identified $865 million in needed infrastructure repairs the budget can't cover, and pointed to Tuesday's council direction to pursue a new revenue measure as the way to close the gap.
Rising Sheriff Contract Costs
Law enforcement costs have jumped 45% in five years — from $29.1 million to $42 million for 103 deputies and 43 non-sworn staff. Staff called it hard to sustain and warned police and fire already consume 53% of general fund spending.
Edison Capacity Constraints on Housing Development
Council heard that Southern California Edison's limited electrical capacity is slowing home construction, with some developers told availability could take four to five years — a potential brake on the city's growth pipeline.
Little League Fund Transparency and Concerns
A local parent voiced serious concerns regarding the handling of Little League funds, high registration fees, unrendered uniforms, and canceled closing ceremonies, prompting city management to offer direct assistance.
Sidewalk vending enforcement and licensing in Victorville
The city's rules for street vendors — adopted in 2024 and updated in 2026 — are producing fewer code enforcement cases, but almost no vendors are getting licensed. The biggest roadblock isn't the city: San Bernardino County health permits cost $1,200-$1,500 plus required equipment. State law also limits what the city can do to unlicensed vendors.
Public Employee Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention (AB 2561)
The fire department hit 100% staffing after hiring nine firefighters in April, ending overtime strain that forced three to five extra 24-hour shifts a month. But the union warned Victorville still pays firefighter medics $92,000 starting versus $120,000 at Chino Valley, risking future losses to higher-paying agencies.
IWWTP Direct Connection 1 & 2 Project Bid Rejection
Bids for a required wastewater treatment plant bypass came in far over the engineer's estimate — one line ranged from $986,000 to $2.3 million between bidders. The project is required under the city's regional wastewater permit, so it will be redesigned and rebid.
Green Tree Golf Course equipment replacement
The city spent $126,929 to replace a 14-year-old greens mower and buy a new sprayer for the golf course it operates, keeping the course in playing shape.
Federal CDBG and HOME Funding Allocations for FY 2026-2027
Victorville locked in about $1.9 million in federal HUD money for housing programs — including $250,605 for senior home repairs and $99,333 for rental assistance. Residents who qualify for home repair help or rental aid benefit directly from this plan.
Del Amo Motorsports signage at Atstar Drive shopping center
An 89,000-square-foot powersports dealership is moving into the old appliance store space, and the new sign program lets it install the brand signs manufacturers require while giving the whole center a modern, coordinated look.
174,000-square-foot warehouse project near Cactus Road and Mesa Linda
Two industrial warehouse buildings are proposed in northwest Victorville, but the hearing has now been continued four times while the applicant answers comments from Caltrans and state wildlife agencies. A decision is expected June 10.
Car wash and coffee shop parcel split on Palmdale Road
The Quick Quack Car Wash and Dutch Bros under construction at Palmdale and Cantina can now sit on separate parcels, allowing independent ownership and operation. Both buildings should open later this year.
2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress
The state requires Victorville to report yearly on General Plan and housing progress. The city permitted 162 above-moderate-income units in 2025 and still has 7,240 units to go on its 8,165-unit regional housing target. The reports also highlight $23 million in capital projects, $13 million in infrastructure grants, and public safety tech like license plate readers and ShotSpotter.
County Treatment Campus Expansion Near Schools
San Bernardino County is expanding a drug and alcohol treatment campus at 13333 Palmdale Road from 66 to about 210 beds, right next to Silverado High, Cobalt Institute, and Larrea Middle School. The county used its legal authority to bypass local zoning and started construction without notifying the city or school district. The council formally opposed the project and the state funding behind it.
Council Member Resignation
Victorville's City Council is down a member! Councilwoman Debra Jones is resigning due to a family emergency, leaving a vacancy that the city now needs to fill. This could shake up council decisions.
Airport Economic Impact
Victorville's airport is still a huge money-maker after three decades! It's bringing in jobs and boosting local businesses, which is great news for the city's finances.
City Council Election
Mayor Liz Becerra is throwing her hat into the ring for a City Council seat in District 3. This move could totally change the game for Victorville's local politics, so pay attention to the election results!
Streetlights
Get ready for brighter nights in Old Town Victorville! The city's installing new streetlights to make the area feel safer and look way more appealing.
Public Works Award
Victorville just won a big award for its Green Tree Extension project! This means the city's doing a great job with infrastructure, which should lead to better services for residents.
Pedestrian Safety
Victorville is officially one of the most dangerous cities in the US for people walking. A new study shows we're ranked second deadliest for pedestrians, so watch your step out there!