Environmental and neighborhood groups have sued the city of Twentynine Palms seeking to overturn the approval of a nature-themed resort near Joshua Tree National Park, charging city planners and officials did not fully evaluate the project's potential environmental harm.

The city council approved Ofland Hotel on a 152-acre site a half-mile from the national park in late July. But the groups say the city did not conduct a thorough study on how the 100-unit resort would affect wildlife, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental factors. The lawsuit seeks to have a judge order the city to rescind numerous approvals.

“If we want people to enjoy the great outdoors, we have to support responsible development that doesn’t desecrate it. Unfortunately, Ofland Hotel isn’t a res

See Full Page