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 hearing, resident Valeria Mejia, who identified herself as a biologist and third-generation Imperial County resident, urged supervisors not to approve further extensions. Mejia said county crop reports show a loss of more than 35,000 acres of farmable land since 2014 and that more than 13,000 of those acres were converted for solar development. She told the board she had observed weeds, tamarisk and other vegetation issues at existing solar parcels and reported increased wildlife encroachment and predator activity near rural properties.

Christina Gispert, speaking for RWE, which operates the existing facility, thanked county staff and said the company has worked through negotiations for more than a year and a half. Gispert said Wisteria 1 is “well maintained” and that she had relayed neighbors’ concerns about weeds to the plant manager. Another commenter, Walter Holtz, said the land in his area is “marginal” and supported the extension.

Minnick and the developer confirmed the original approvals allow up to a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system for the entire project (0–6 MW per CUP or clustered to reach 50 MW). Minnick said any proposal to expand beyond the originally assessed 50 MW would require separate entitlements and environmental review under CEQA.

The board voted 3-0 on three formal actions: (1) finding that the final environmental impact report certified on Dec. 30, 2024, remains adequate for the requested time extension; (2) adopting findings and a resolution amending the development agreement; and (3) adopting an ordinance to amend the recorded agreement. The motions passed with the recorded outcome “motion carries 3-0.”

Supervisors asked staff to note public comments and to enforce existing maintenance and nuisance requirements while the county investigates code enforcement complaints tied to solar parcels.

Votes at a glance

- Item 14A — Find no further environmental documentation necessary for the time extension and amendments to the Imperial County Development Agreement concerning CED Wisteria Solar: motion by Supervisor Ryan Elliott Kelly, second by Supervisor Peggy Price; outcome: approved (motion carries 3-0). - Item 14B — Adopt resolution and findings for an amendment to the Imperial County Development Agreement for CED Wisteria Solar Project: motion by Supervisor Peggy Price, second by Supervisor Ryan Elliott Kelly; outcome: approved (motion carries 3-0). - Item 14C — Adopt ordinance to amend the Imperial County Development Agreement for CED Wisteria Solar Project: motion by Supervisor Ryan Elliott Kelly, second by Supervisor Peggy Price; outcome: approved (motion carries 3-0).

The amendments and extension take effect following the clerk’s processing of the adopted ordinance and resolution; any future increases in battery capacity beyond 50 MW would require a separate entitlement and environmental review.