Board approves 10-year extension, amendment for Wisteria Ranch solar development

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 approved a 10-year extension and related amendments to the development agreement for the Wisteria Ranch solar project, finding no further environmental review was required for the time extension. The board voted 3-0 to adopt the environmental finding, a resolution of amendment, and an ordinance amendment tied to the agreement.

The extension covers 11 remaining conditional use permits (CUPs) for the project south of Interstate 8 and west of Calexico. Jim Minnick, the county planning director, told the board that the project originally included 16 CUPs, five of which have already been developed. He said the developed portion covers about 973 acres and the remaining undeveloped parcels total about 1,600 acres. The amendment extends the life of the development agreement by 10 years and makes “minor financial adjustments,” Minnick said, without changing land-use entitlements.

At the public…