[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6641998,"mediaKeyId","3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c","parentId",3409439,"title","Supervisors raise residential wind turbine cap to 25 kW; county says change aligns with policy plan and technology advances","audioSeconds",521,"startMs",3803000,"endMs",4324000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c&start=3803&end=4324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c/thumbnail_3803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6641998/San-Bernardino-County/California/Supervisors-raise-residential-wind-turbine-cap-to-25-kW-county-says-change-aligns-with-policy-plan-and-technology-advances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641998-7341729fce06ac0113b6a5c9d20ad705/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=FcOKPQJyAeYNLaHmF1KiLnVUYLq~dYeAlsQK9UnmPBFaD2LmZHMQQ8ylnrhJ5KMmu6J4VKIyuLP5ztL9dpg1KY6H7ENCwo~vA9VT7bUdcWdwLmMuH~bfdWERgkRcRf9X7yJdzHu1dA3tXAgdLagBfNQScCu9h1A4286nTeuKDL97bsFQVcw4ZLiq0B8zFiOpvIl9XauGSdbHokTMn6RWJP97llXRPBTTHeYPwNQE7aqH2~3GEzN39fG-3g09dW5AWq7lpUAdHcicjx~-57IKZBC9~4iyJL-kU3r57wMhHYJtF4LY0Cla2pVEMallDeaNXAxmCu6iXz-AUor7arKStg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-20T20:21:54.16Z","article","The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to amend the county development code to increase the maximum permitted output for residential accessory wind energy systems from 10 kilowatts to 25 kilowatts.

Mark Wardlaw, director of Land Use Services, said the change responds to advances in wind turbine technology that allow newer, small site‑oriented turbines to generate more power without increasing tower height or other design standards. \"Due to advances in technology, newer turbines can now produce more energy than previous models,\" Wardlaw said. He noted the amendment applies to residential accessory structures in unincorporated areas and does not change height limits.

Staff said the proposed 25 kW cap is well below the 70 kW limit referenced in the Countywide Policy Plan’s Renewable Energy and Conservation element, and that the change is consistent with prior environmental review done for the countywide plan. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5‑0 after staff said three public comments opposed raising the cap citing visual impacts, noise and bird‑strike concerns from community members in Newberry Springs and the Morongo Basin.

Supervisors debated whether to raise the cap higher — up to 50 or 70 kW — but staff and one supervising planner noted that the 25 kW request came from the applicant (Gotti Solar Design) and that nonresidential standards remain separate. Maryann Wells, supervising planner, said increases up to 70 kW could be considered under CEQA but the current proposal responds to industry changes and can be revisited in future development‑code work.

A motion to approve the ordinance passed on a vote with Supervisor Armendariz absent. County planners said individual installations will still require permits and project‑level review.

Ending: The county will implement the amended code; landowners seeking turbines above the new threshold would need to pursue separate approvals under existing nonresidential standards or future code updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County of San Bernardino Live Stream 05.20.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors raised the residential accessory wind turbine limit from 10 kW to 25 kW, citing technological improvements and consistency with county renewable energy policies.","taxTitle","San Bernardino County, California","taxId",3825,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6642003,"Board rescinds mid‑block crosswalk on Baker Boulevard after safety review; county says original motel closure removed pedestrian demand",337,3128000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c&start=3128&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c/thumbnail_3128000.jpg","/articles/6642003/San-Bernardino-County/California/Board-rescinds-midblock-crosswalk-on-Baker-Boulevard-after-safety-review-county-says-original-motel-closure-removed-pedestrian-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642003-5de7843d7607946cdf18cc0b1b3ea76f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=icVSMfDqY3vscT2RTN4oKHGz9Sat-Hf1mMWWmDx80gfSyadIosZhTUEa6Ynk2jk4Kf1rSblHOkALCIKnz9PjnSzSlHYnvnqYPgxm1UnJ4Gvn-GOLqaU6fhnmKDuPCRrrh6tR4MCVXmcaMHRges~mWYZ-DyA-HzhhnAYmbcZNVf2Ods~ZaaNOodZfAcPGnXpTmzS9x7HBo1EOWVKAZ4RFYyJxMEY1sM-TASBejWn7YRLV-DgpOKwZGhKI505knT27D~8KFOr8aHmFYAXgpiNU-r3P548-GjQjO5HPROi5bVaEDxABhQgL1zDN9vV0mnpRdTyS~tKG36jybLoR0OGf7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to rescind a mid‑block pedestrian crosswalk on Baker Boulevard after staff said the crossing no longer serves a functional pedestrian purpose.

Noel Castillo, Public Works director, told the board the crosswalk had been adopted in 1966 to serve guests of the Arns Royal Hawaiian Motel, which closed in February 2009. \"Reinstalling the mid‑block crosswalk after the completion of the Baker Boulevard improvements would be unnecessary as it could create a false sense of safety for pedestrians where a crossing is not warranted,\" Castillo said.

The discussion arose as part of design work on the county's Baker Bridge Replacement Project; staff recommended removing the crosswalk because pedestrian activity at the location is very limited and no redevelopment is proposed for the motel site. Castillo said if new development is proposed in the future, the county would reevaluate the need for a mid‑block crossing using applicable warrants and pedestrian demand analysis.

A public commenter, identified as Carlo, supported removing unused infrastructure but used the opportunity to raise unrelated allegations about county child and family services. The board limited its deliberation to the crosswalk matter and voted to close the public hearing and adopt the resolution rescinding the crossing. Supervisor Hagman moved the item with Vice Chair Baca seconding; the measure passed with Supervisor Armendariz absent.

Ending: Staff will incorporate the removal into the Baker Bridge design and may revisit a crosswalk if future site development alters pedestrian needs.","Following a Public Works evaluation tied to a bridge replacement, the Board of Supervisors rescinded a mid‑block crosswalk on Baker Boulevard in Baker, finding the crossing no longer serves a motel that closed in 2009 and could create a false sense of safety.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6642008,"Board approves underground utility districts for Mission, Valley and Beach corridors; Edison to fund conversion",386,3480000,3866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c&start=3480&end=3866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6642008/San-Bernardino-County/California/Board-approves-underground-utility-districts-for-Mission-Valley-and-Beach-corridors-Edison-to-fund-conversion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642008-cda5bb5c7b21d0cfc2c5d6ee90311773/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=AXAVh6XhmPB0Ij1fnKIRZ~7QcbG2~7WNDiFlU5yZYPr2zyZkMay0xmwkapWZ4QfvYPr39G351tScDu4JiYhj87UyqXZyhiaLEniEvRjcF~cNo6hrbpqOnSvOO4Gy7mmlC4e3GJM18tCI1~K3eF9UjGdT1AW5YKwtInbJoA~1WCU8QH3XLdkcJryx4TvM9U6KANktVdYLr2VFVm~UnrTS0tgL9fBNezmW4SbakqJDysrC7IGsJXaTBEF9pKBRgJivaidcu-G026kvckMX2X~1~BgccehFZXOAwNVimaUuEd5XxrXn-9Vh65ao-N-nNQaRx498BGNjdLtqkJB9WLkb4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the formation of three underground utility districts covering segments of Mission Boulevard (Central to Benson), Valley Boulevard (Cedar to Spruce) and Beach Avenue in Montclair, Rialto and Fontana.

Noel Castillo, director of the county Department of Public Works, said Southern California Edison and county staff evaluated 17 candidate locations and found these three segments met the requirements to receive Rule 20A work credits. \"The formation of the underground utility district is required under both CPUC Rule 20 and section 67.0205 of the San Bernardino County code to allow for the use of Rule 20 funds for project implementation,\" Castillo said.

Estimated costs presented to the board were roughly $4.2 million for the half‑mile Mission Boulevard segment, $3.8 million for the half‑mile Valley Boulevard segment and about $6.6 million for the just‑over‑one‑mile Beach Avenue segment. Castillo said Edison will perform the undergrounding work at no cost to the county or affected property owners once the districts are formed and project funding is allocated.

The board heard one public speaker who asked about timing, construction effects on nearby elementary school traffic and whether lights or walls would be added; staff said a county representative would meet property owners after the hearing to answer detailed implementation questions.

Supervisor comments noted the projects are intended to reduce visual clutter and support economic development. The board adopted the resolutions to form the districts by roll call with Supervisor Armendariz absent. Staff said the districts will remain in effect and require any future utility installations within the districts to be placed underground.

Ending: County staff will follow up with property owners on construction timing and project specifics as Southern California Edison schedules work under CPUC Rule 20A credits.","San Bernardino County supervisors voted to form three underground utility districts — Mission Boulevard, Valley Boulevard and Beach Avenue — allowing Southern California Edison to underground overhead power lines and use CPUC Rule 20A funds. Estimated conversion costs for the segments were presented to the board.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6642013,"San Bernardino County reports 15% vacancy rate; sheriff union presses for deeper pay and benefit fixes",1126,5558000,6684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c&start=5558&end=6684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c/thumbnail_5558000.jpg","/articles/6642013/San-Bernardino-County/California/San-Bernardino-County-reports-15-vacancy-rate-sheriff-union-presses-for-deeper-pay-and-benefit-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642013-59af0e307eca1d6e267548325640728e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=ghBzgd3DhSRzN7SmJH~jgijlsqlkamKeVUFCU78UrBmnxWCgaDj2yi3pkK23gnno0EhGdLEa86oVaUlCKPCROzjogICELX4KbjAMrgZJbGsdOBGRSoIFECxAWAN6OSfCuyi8SVISZ1rM39FDdR81DQlD6si95WajcYWlWRBt1mzIxBGGoBQtSrgYjsgypu68TT~gJAlhL01mPjy1UzATEhMYV7uypbI62ntWrInn3uURB5CNcTGR9psP~MHj~HAcwdQHyKUD1gXhkCIfdAan52hR8dptMFPY4Oxnaz5o~Q-cBhcgFG6KxnYu3ZGMXoSBG574GafJrYoN0c8XwIoJHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Bernardino County leaders on Tuesday presented required annual data under Assembly Bill 2561 showing roughly 3,475 vacant positions across bargaining units, a combined vacancy rate of about 15.13% as of April 9, 2025.

The county's Human Resources director, Leo Gonzalez, said the law requires public agencies to present vacancy and recruitment data before finalizing budgets. \"This information must present vacancy and recruitment data at a public hearing before finalizing the budget,\" Gonzalez said, noting the 20% vacancy benchmark in the statute that would trigger additional reporting.

The report broke vacancies down by bargaining unit. Most bargaining groups reported vacancy rates below the 20% AB 2561 threshold: Teamsters at about 16.72% overall, Service Employees (Local 721) about 18.71%, and various other units from about 7% to 18%. Gonzalez said county hiring and retention actions include expanded outreach, summer youth programs, internships, rapid hiring events and work with departments to update job descriptions.

Grant Ward, president of the Sheriff's Employee Benefit Association (CEBA) and a county sergeant, told the board the raw vacancy numbers understate operational impacts in public safety and urged faster, broader action. \"We basically operate as a skeleton crew,\" Ward said, saying deputies often work single‑officer patrols and that attrition since 2020 averages roughly 12.4 members per month. He pressed the board to match regional pay and improve medical benefits and incentives.

Ward said the county's long history of contract terms without competitive medical benefits contributed to lateral departures to neighboring agencies. He described recent county and board efforts — including Measure L funding changes — as positive but said staffing and benefits gaps remain.

Supervisors did not take action; the item was a receive‑and‑file public hearing required by state law. Board members asked for comparative county data for future reports and for continued collaboration with labor groups and departments.

The public record also included several public comments alleging problems with county child and family services, which some speakers said underscore broader workforce and process concerns; those claims were heard as public comment and not adjudicated during the hearing.

Going forward, county staff said they will continue targeted recruitment campaigns, monitor vacancy trends, and return with updated comparative information requested by supervisors.

Ending: County staff and labor representatives said they will continue to negotiate recruitment and retention steps ahead of the upcoming budget process; supervisors requested comparative vacancy data for neighboring counties in next year’s AB 2561 presentation.","At a public hearing under AB 2561, county Human Resources presented a countywide vacancy rate of about 15.1%. The county and the Sheriff's Employee Benefit Association told supervisors vacancies vary by bargaining unit; the sheriff's union urged the board to address medical benefits and retention to stem officer attrition.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6641993,"Board approves annexation into Community Facilities District for Hesperia site to finance fire suppression; special tax confirmed",381,4083000,4464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c&start=4083&end=4464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409439-7ab06ba6698ca1e976fe2245bfbd9f3c/thumbnail_4083000.jpg","/articles/6641993/San-Bernardino-County/California/Board-approves-annexation-into-Community-Facilities-District-for-Hesperia-site-to-finance-fire-suppression-special-tax-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641993-76764cf3dcff76b754c8a21e39654b7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=i~RD5bZP5iJbPIREkT4hTSvuH4IrCVjYCUyZn-BNdUHklFbruvsd2kHUjZ-p~hhQHoA9gdLa74eNtUJGscaIFsaxDO-bU~XHLLPsZ6kVPwLSAXuJIzL7J8SBS~LdkQULe3gVvfDKXrlDQpTLl1GRlsNuF8GwJMjIdyJnlzyqXYVfmlEaUu0zO0Ou2Y0fJwqmPu3KRxuxuu27J2jdS2IlPt7NFrpnSeWzlEss-divU0fMdWL4oBjw3nxmRWjj0kFMkmS1yt78WbEFfeEgWBUoEdD6wVSWbJlyhjtRzqf~0Fjn~v3g9UYiIYpjOnhROpqTAB-4xVeHnVMEGr3EdHjUHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Supervisors approved annexation of a parcel in the city of Hesperia into Community Facilities District (CFD) 94‑01 to finance ongoing fire suppression services for a proposed commercial development.

Chief Muncie (San Bernardino County Fire) told the board the landowner sought annexation so the city could permit the project; the development is expected to be a car wash when permits are verified. The parcel will be subject to the CFD special tax assessment at the current commercial rate, which the county said is $0.2264 per square foot with anticipated revenue of roughly $814 per year for the parcel identified.

Following the board’s approval of the annexation, the clerk conducted the landowner election; the clerk reported the vote in favor of annexation for parcel APN 3064‑471‑04‑000. The board then voted to approve the associated agreements. Supervisors Hagman and Vice Chair Baca moved and seconded the recommendations; measures passed with Supervisor Armendariz absent.

Ending: County staff will verify building permits with the City of Hesperia and implement the special tax assessment as part of CFD 94‑01 administration.","Property owners in Hesperia voted to annex a parcel into Community Facilities District 94‑01 to finance ongoing fire suppression services for a proposed car wash. The board approved the annexation and related agreements; a special tax assessment will apply to the parcel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Supervisors raise residential wind turbine cap to 25 kW; county says change aligns with policy plan and technology advances

Board rescinds mid‑block crosswalk on Baker Boulevard after safety review; county says original motel closure removed pedestrian demand

Board approves underground utility districts for Mission, Valley and Beach corridors; Edison to fund conversion

San Bernardino County reports 15% vacancy rate; sheriff union presses for deeper pay and benefit fixes

Board approves annexation into Community Facilities District for Hesperia site to finance fire suppression; special tax confirmed