What is the Sphere of Influence (SOI)?
LAFCO defines a Sphere of Influence as: “A planning document adopted by LAFCO that shows a city or special district’s future boundary and service area. In effect a sphere of influence tells landowners, residents, and public officials where the LAFCO thinks a city or district will annex in the future. All boundary changes must be consistent with spheres of influence.” A Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a county area that is subject to the influence of the Town of Yucca Valley planning because it is destined to become annexed. The SOI means that certain policies apply to help the area become more and more urban, to make annexation easier. The Town of Yucca Valley will take a special interest in how the county area of Yucca Mesa within a SOI develops because it may eventually be part of the city. For example, all building permits issued by the county for Yucca Mesa may be reviewed by the Town of Yucca Valley. Because the residents of Yucca Mesa do not want the intense urban planning that char
