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Orange County planning commission recommends denial of Sunfish Solar special-use permit
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to find Sunfish Solar not in substantial accord with the county comprehensive plan and recommended denial of SUP 23-10, citing viewshed, historic-resource and decommissioning concerns after hours of testimony and expert comment.
The Orange County Planning Commission on June 20 voted to recommend denial of Sunfish Solar’s special-use permit application (SUP 23-10), concluding the 80-megawatt utility-scale project is too large for the site and poses unresolved long-term risks to the county’s rural character and historic landscape.
Chairman Powell said the project’s scale and visibility were decisive factors. “It’s just too big. It can’t be hidden,” he said during discussion, summarizing a recurring theme among commissioners.
Planning staff presented the application by BayWa Renewable Energy and noted the project footprint covers roughly 932 acres, with about 404 acres proposed under panels and an estimated 575 acres of disturbance. Staff listed 20 recommended conditions — including a road maintenance bond, vehicle wash stations, riparian buffers and afforestation measures — but said it could not reach an overall recommendation and urged the commission to weigh the full set of pros and cons.
BayWa representatives said the project would deliver local benefits,…
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