Commission approves temporary employee parking CUP to support Imperial Sun Solar project

The Imperial County Planning Commission voted to approve Conditional Use Permit 25‑0011 to permit a temporary parking lot to serve construction workers on the Imperial Sun Solar project (formerly Vega 4).

Staff described the site north of Highway 98 with access via Bonsdiel Road and said the project would provide roughly 52 parking spaces on an existing lot. The negative declaration for the project (prepared by HDR; State Clearinghouse No. 20250990913) was presented and staff recommended approval with findings and conditions.

Applicant representative Eric Huberger said he agreed with most conditions but requested deletion of two items (condition S5‑1 and S7). Huberger confirmed he understood an encroachment permit will still be required. Commissioners discussed clarifying the temporary permit duration and surety bond language; one commissioner proposed allowing an original one‑year permit plus two one‑year extensions (instead of unspecified successive extensions) and requiring a surety based on an engineer’s estimate to ensure adequate funds for site remediation if needed. Huberger agreed the estimate could be an engineer’s estimate rather than a protracted study.

A commissioner asked staff to provide a defined engineered site plan before disturbance, and staff indicated they would update conditions and provide the applicant a copy. The commission moved, seconded and approved CUP 25‑0011 with the deletions and condition clarifications; appeal rights were stated.

Staff follow‑up will include issuance of encroachment and grading permits as required and issuance of the amended conditions to the applicant.