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Board requires conditional-use review for large power plants, with questions about state preemption
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to require conditional use authorization for power plants over 10 megawatts in M1 and M2 zoning districts, a change proponents said would extend public review to facilities previously permitted as of right; planning staff and the city attorney noted potential state preemption issues to resolve for specific projects.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to require conditional use authorization from the Planning Commission for new or expanded power plants larger than 10 megawatts in M1 and M2 zoning districts.
Supporters said the measure closes a gap that allowed power plants to be built as-of-right in industrial districts without the public review normally required for other major land uses. "This legislation corrects this imbalance in the code by establishing a CU requirement for all new and existing power plant facilities," Supervisor Sophie Maxwell said during debate.
The Planning Department’s staff told supervisors the ordinance distinguishes between smaller renewable generation and…
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