It’s been 8 years in the making, but San Bernardino County has released a draft version of their proposed translation of the Community Overlay proposal for public comment.
Rather than acting as an Overlay (which is a modification of an existing zone provisions) the County decided to just create a new zone. The Mane Street Historic District (MHSD) zone entirely replaces Mane Street’s current SD-RES zoning with an entirely new set of rules and requirements. These are largely but not entirely based on the Community Overlay proposal, and notably seem to be drafted to encourage much higher levels of new development that was requested in previous community meetings held by the County.
Another in person workshop is scheduled for July 14, 2026 from 3-5PM at the Sound Stage. County staff can be expected to present the proposed document and take feedback. It is critical that interested members of the community both attend this meeting and send written comment to Associate Planner Vivian Nguyen at Vivian.Nguyen@lus.sbcounty.gov.
While this language is within arms length of its goal, there are still critical and sometimes existential issues that if left uncorrected will mark our eight year collective effort as a failure. Limitations on the size of new development and high-intensity uses need to be restored, as well as the well documented resident and business owner request that formula businesses be excluded from Pioneertown. What happens in the next six months will determine Pioneertown’s future. My comment letter to the County can be found below…