Planning commission forwards two solar projects to Board of Supervisors

During the consent portion of the meeting staff summarized two agenda items that were recommended for expedited action and forwarded to the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

The first consent item described an EDF Renewables proposal for a 50-megawatt photovoltaic solar facility on approximately 541.4 acres, which would require amendments to the Willow Spring Specific Plan, zone classification changes, variances and conditional use permits. Staff recommended adoption of the County's section 15091 findings, a section 15093 statement of overriding considerations (as applicable), mitigation monitoring and reporting program, and approval of the requested amendments and permits.

The second consent item concerned an Enterprise Solar Storage LLC project (Terrigen) that would amend the circulation element of the Kern County General Plan to remove and reclassify midsection lines within the boundary of a previously approved enterprise solar storage project. Staff again recommended adoption of findings, mitigation monitoring and reporting, and the draft resolution's suggested findings.

Staff noted both items would be set on the Board of Supervisors' September general plan amendment window (staff referenced September 23). No members of the public removed the items from consent for separate discussion. The commission approved the consent calendar with a 4 ayes, 1 absent vote and staff confirmed there is not a right to appeal to the commission because these actions were recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.