The Antelope Valley Times

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Residents encouraged to provide input on Palmdale City Council redistricting, public meeting set for Dec. 14

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PALMDALE –The Palmdale Advisory Redistricting Commission will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Palmdale City Council Chamber, located at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B, to review submissions of redistricting draft maps and public input.

The meeting is open to in-person attendance, and attendees will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The city of Palmdale is in the final stages of its city council redistricting process which, upon completion, will determine the boundaries of city council voting districts for the next 10 years. Using public input on communities of interest and submitted maps from residents, the Palmdale City Council will adopt a new map in accordance with the FAIRMAPS Act, which states districts must be:

  • Geographically contiguous (each district should share a common border with the next).
  • Respectful of the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities in a manner that minimizes its division.
  • Drawn with easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.).
  • Drawn to encourage geographic compactness with boundaries, not drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

Residents are encouraged to share their preferences, draw their own maps and provide feedback on draft maps by Jan. 3, 2022, for the Palmdale City Council to consider when making a final decision. Following the Dec. 14 meeting, there will be three more upcoming public meetings:

  • Jan. 11, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. – The Advisory Redistricting Commission will review draft maps and public input that was received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2022, which is the final deadline to submit maps and feedback on draft maps for consideration. During this meeting, the commission will determine its map recommendations for the City Council’s final adoption.
  • Jan. 12, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. – City Council will hold a public hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. The City’s demographer will present the draft maps along with direction given by the Advisory Redistricting Commission. Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on draft maps and share their input on preferred district boundaries.
  • Feb. 2, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. – City Council will hold its final public hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. The City’s demographer will present the final draft maps being considered and the City Council will select a map for adoption.

How to Draw A Map

Paper and online mapping tools and tutorials are available on the Draw A Map page [here] of the City’s redistricting website for residents to access at their convenience. Community members can submit as many maps as they would like throughout the redistricting process. Draft maps can be submitted to Redistrict2021@CityOfPalmdale.org. The deadline to submit maps is Jan. 3, 2022.

Public meeting materials, draft maps, virtual meeting links, past meeting recordings and additional redistricting resources can also be accessed through the city of Palmdale’s redistricting website at www.DrawPalmdale.org.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

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6 comments for "Residents encouraged to provide input on Palmdale City Council redistricting, public meeting set for Dec. 14"

    • It matters a lot more than in Lancaster where we have no districts. We just have one district and it’s the King Rex District. He hand picks his council, they all do his bidding, and the hard working people of Lancaster are left high and dry. Especially the people in East Lancaster. It’s a total scam and no one does a thing to stop it.

      • It’s important to remember that the driving force behind the districting in Palmdale was Wrecks and his cronies, and they used it as the wedge to take over Palmdale’s government with their bought and paid for pocket toys. The lesson is that whatever the system it will have weaknesses, and that Wrecks and company are lined up to exploit them. So long as 90% of the people don’t pay any attention you can safely bet that Wrecks and his evil will reign supreme, one way or another. That’s the war you need to recognize, or it won’t matter what battles you win.

        First obvious point…in any districting plan that Lancaster adopts an “east Lancaster” district is going to include Lancaster Baptist Church with its attached college, and Paul Chappell as one of core pillars of the Wrecks kingdom would deliver that seat 100% of the time to whoever Wrecks wants. So districting, in itself, does absolutely nothing for East Lancaster in general. The names would change, but you’d end up with the same rubber stamping action that you get with the current crew.

        I honestly don’t see any way that Lancaster squirms out from under Wrecks’ heel. The government there was basically founded on corruption, and at this point you are into the next generation of good ol’ boy cronyism. Short of a massive Bell style investigation I would hold out very little hope there, and now that they have their hooks sinking deeper by the day into Palmdale as well it’s probably best to just cash out and leave.

      • Palmdale was fine until Wrecks took over. Now we are on the verge of having two Lancasters. What could possibly go wrong? Another Eye in the Sky? More Communist Chinese birth tourism? Lies about fake sheriff shootings? More no bid projects for political donors of Wrecks?