Perris planning panel recommends Chevron alternative-fuel expansion after mixed public comment

The City of Perris Planning Commission on Feb. 19 recommended the City Council approve a proposal to expand the Chevron station at 796 Ramona Expressway to add renewable compressed natural gas (rCNG), hydrogen and renewable diesel dispensers. The commission voted 4–1 to forward the recommendation with conditions, including additional design review and landscaping to better shield nearby residences.

Commissioners and staff said the project would replace an existing single-family residence on the expansion parcel and apply a residential overlay to another site to comply with state housing law (SB 330). City planner Nathan Perez summarized the proposal as “two canopies — one with six compressed natural gas and diesel dispensers and one with four hydrogen dispensers — and equipment enclosures concealed behind block walls.” Perez also told the commission staff circulated an initial study and proposed mitigated negative declaration and had received comment letters from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and local groups.

Nut graf: The project would be one of the first Perris sites to offer hydrogen and rCNG alongside renewable diesel, and the applicant, in partnership with Chevron, said the station is intended to support alternative-fuel vehicles in the Inland Empire. Opponents urged more environmental review and raised concerns about noise, wildlife and impacts on nearby residents; proponents and Chevron representatives said mitigation and design measures reduce those risks.

Public commenters included Kyla Staley of Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), who urged denial and the preparation of an environmental impact report. “SAFER’s expert wildlife biologist found that the project may result in significant impacts to several special-status species,” Staley said during the hearing. Resident Nanette Plascencia also urged denial, saying the site is “next door to homes” and expressing concern about safety and local notification.

Applicant Marwan Alabasi, who described the project as a Chevron partnership, told the commission the station is intended to reduce reliance on conventional diesel and to expand alternative-fuel infrastructure. “This particular project … is the first in the U.S. to have alternative fuel hydrogen, CNG, and renewable diesel in the same location,” Alabasi said. He added the hydrogen throughput would be below the South Coast AQMD permit threshold and that the rCNG and renewable diesel tanks and equipment will be enclosed and screened to city standards.

Chevron renewable-fuels representative Joe Matzner explained noise and release characteristics of the compression equipment and fuels: “Natural gas is lighter than air, so it does go up, it dissipates,” he said, adding tested decibel levels for compression equipment are within industry standards and enclosure designs aim to limit noise impacts.

Commission discussion focused on setbacks from the nearest houses, sight lines and truck circulation. Commissioners requested strengthened screening and landscape mitigation along the northern property line and asked staff to work with the applicant on column/fascia materials and the color palette so the new canopies better fit the streetscape. Planning staff recommended approval of the specific plan amendment and major modification, and a resolution and mitigated negative declaration were included in the staff report.

The commission voted to recommend approval by a 4–1 tally. The record shows the vote as: Commissioner Lopez, yes; Commissioner Jimenez, yes; Commissioner Menace, no; Vice Chair Shively, yes; Chair Hammond, yes. Commissioners attached conditions requiring: (1) additional landscape screening between the station compound and the homes north of the site; (2) material/column color review with staff; (3) a mitigation monitoring and reporting program if the council adopts the mitigated negative declaration; and (4) any engineering/public-works improvements required for right-of-way, driveway widening and undergrounding of overhead utilities.

Next steps: The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation to the City Council, which is the final decision-maker. The item will return to the council with the Planning Commission’s resolution and the adopted conditions of approval.

Ending: The applicant said Chevron and the developer are prepared to work with staff on the requested refinements and stressed the project’s role in building alternative-fuel infrastructure in the region. The council will consider the item at a future meeting and will decide whether to adopt the mitigated negative declaration and the specified land-use changes and modifications.