Chino Valley commission recommends denial of 281‑acre Wilkinson solar project after public hearing

The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on June 3 voted to recommend denial of Conditional Use Permit CUP2025‑01, a proposal by Prospect 14 to build a photovoltaic solar facility and battery energy storage system on family‑owned land.

The project would place roughly 281 acres of solar array and battery storage on two parcels (parcel numbers cited in materials as 306‑02‑300H and 306‑01‑003H) near 3245 Jerome Junction in Chino Valley. Prospect 14 presented the proposal on behalf of Running W Branch Ranch LLC and Wilkinson Investments LLC. After a staff presentation and more than a dozen public comments for and against the project, the commission voted 4–2 with one abstention to recommend denial to town council; the recommendation is advisory and the council will make the final decision.

Staff and applicant history: Town planning staff recounted a multi‑year review. A prior conditional use permit for a solar farm on the larger site had expired without construction. The town’s general plan and multiple internal reviews led staff to develop a solar ordinance; that ordinance was not approved by council earlier in 2025. Staff said the applicant held a neighborhood meeting on May 15, received at least one written neighbor objection and that staff expanded the draft conditions for a CUP in response to neighbors’ concerns. Staff recommended the commission hold a public hearing and forward the case with its record to…