Commission continues review of proposed 500 MW Blythe solar project to May 14
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Summary
Staff recommended continuing the Blythe Airport–area 500 MW photovoltaic project (ZAP1022BL25) to May 14, 2026, because airport‑manager comments on a solar‑glare study were still pending; the commission voted to continue the public hearing.
The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission voted April 9 to continue consideration of ZAP1022BL25, a proposed 500‑megawatt photovoltaic facility and associated substation and transmission poles on county‑owned land near Blythe Airport, to its May 14, 2026 meeting.
Staff planner Jackie Vega told the commission the project would include a photovoltaic array, substations, maintenance buildings and 36 new transmission poles across roughly 395 gross acres and additional private land. Vega said the solar‑glare study was forwarded to the airport manager (Angela Jamieson) for review and that the airport manager’s comments were still pending at the time the staff report was written.
Because the airport‑manager review was incomplete, staff recommended the commission continue the item. A motion to continue the public hearing to May 14, 2026 was made and approved by unanimous voice vote.
The continuance preserves the record while staff and the airport manager complete review of potential glare and other airport‑compatibility concerns; the commission did not take a final consistency vote at the April 9 meeting.
