Thousand Palms residents blame nearby lot for constant dirt mess

Residents of Club at Shenandoah Springs Village in Thousand Palms need help digging out from the never ending mounds of sand in their homes, garages and yards.

“Sometimes I feel like a prisoner in my own home,” said Jeanne Krause, of Thousand Palms. “We just hauled off 40 gallons of sand from my car port alone, and that’s just from one storm.”

Neighbors said the sand blows over from a privately owned dirt lot across the road on Monterery Ave. and Varner Road. The only separation is a brick-and-wood wall. The lot has no ground cover and they want the owner to do something about it.

“We have a lot over there unmaintained, not watered, not taken care of,” said resident Leslie Vaughn Gallagher. “The bulk of the sand ends up on our property, in our vehicles, in our eyes, mouths and houses.”

Residents don’t know who owns the lot. We tried contacting the real estate agent, Marco Rosetti, but received no response.

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit’s office spokesman Darin Schemmer said he notified county Code Enforcement, which will investigate the issue as soon as next week.

“I’m not expecting God to make the wind stop or get help every day from someone. All I’m expecting is that big sand dune is watered like it used to be or graveled like it used to be,” said Vaughan Gallagher.

“It’s an easy solution but as homeowners we can’t ask another property owner to do something with their land,” said Krause.

Residents hope the county can talk with the property owner.

“Please cover your land. Help us retain our health and our values here,” said Krause.