Historical Record
The 2011 Western Antelope Valley Report
Concerns about land-use enforcement and development in the Neenach area were formally documented and submitted to Los Angeles County leadership over a decade before the current campaign.
June 11, 2011 · Dr. Barney F. Hope, Ph.D.
Citizens’ Concerns in Regards to Zoning Code Enforcement Protocols by the County of Los Angeles and Energy and Community Development Issues in Neenach and the Western Antelope Valley
A formal report submitted to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors documenting residents’ concerns about enforcement tactics, permit fees, financial impacts on property owners, and community development issues - including a specific call for non-confrontational protocols, permit fee refunds, and a community meeting at WeeVill Market.
Submitted
June 11, 2011
Author
Dr. B.F. Hope
Recipient
LA County BOS
Area
Neenach, AV
Why This Matters
Concerns about this area were documented over a decade ago
The 2011 report is significant not because it resolved anything — it didn’t — but because it demonstrates that the pressures affecting Hikertown and the broader Western Antelope Valley community were formally raised to county leadership long before the current enforcement actions. The concerns documented in 2011 are directly relevant to what the community is experiencing today.
Key Findings
Enforcement Protocols
Residents raised concerns that code enforcement actions in the area were being conducted in a confrontational and financially burdensome way, without adequate notice or due process protections.
Permit Fee Relief
The report called on the county to refund permit fees imposed on property owners who had been cited under contested enforcement orders — particularly where ownership or permit history was in dispute.
Non-Confrontational Protocols
Dr. Hope specifically requested that the county adopt non-confrontational enforcement protocols, giving residents time and support to come into compliance rather than facing immediate penalties.
Energy & Development Pressure
The report documented early community concerns about large-scale energy and industrial development being proposed or approved in the Western Antelope Valley, and its potential impact on rural communities and property rights.
Community Meeting Request
Residents requested a community meeting at WeeVill Market to allow direct dialogue between county representatives and the community — a request that went unanswered for years.
Water Rights & Rural Living
The report raised concerns about the intersection of water rights, agricultural use, and code enforcement in a region where many residents had operated small holdings for decades.
Verification Note
The Save Hikertown campaign is working to verify and contextualize all claims in this report against current records. Some findings remain under review. Where we have confirmed something as verified, we say so. Where we have not, we indicate that clearly. See our full evidence library →