Twentynine Palms reviews eGroup solar community benefit package for proposed north‑town site

Twentynine Palms city staff and developer eGroup PS presented a draft community benefits package for a proposed solar facility north of Two‑Mile Road at a council workshop, and asked the council for direction on the payment schedule and whether proceeds should be earmarked for specific projects.

City staff described the regulatory context and the package they negotiated with the applicant. “As soon as the project begins construction, they would be paying a $105,000. And then once they begin operation for 3 years, they pay the city a $120,000…up to $150,000 after year 5 with an annual CPI increase,” staff told the council during the presentation. Staff also noted the city’s existing moratorium on solar fields and said the matter could be routed through the state instead of local review if the applicant elects that path.

The package is intended to replace the typical development fees a commercial or residential project would pay; because the proposed solar installation does not generate the same kinds of impact fees, the…