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Tulare County Planning Commission approves two small solar projects and two parcel maps
Summary
The commission certified CEQA findings and approved two special use permits for approximately 3-megawatt photovoltaic facilities and approved two tentative parcel maps; all four motions passed unanimously. A summary of votes appears below.
The Tulare County Planning Commission on March 11 certified environmental findings and approved two special-use permits for adjacent photovoltaic projects and approved two tentative parcel maps during a routine morning session.
The commission heard a staff presentation from Emily Gage of the county Resource Management Agency, who said special-use permits PSP25-060 and PSP25-062 would allow two solar photovoltaic facilities of about 3 megawatts each on portions of a 40-acre parcel in the AE80 zone and that a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program had been prepared and updated to reflect California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommendations and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District comments. "Before you today is special use permit number PSP25-060 and PSP25-062," Gage said.
Commissioner Gil Aguilar moved to certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopt the updated mitigation monitoring and reporting program; the motion carried unanimously. Subsequent motions to approve each special-use permit and to adopt findings and conditions of approval were seconded and approved on recorded votes of six yes, zero no, and zero abstentions.
Earlier on the agenda the commission approved two tentative parcel maps. Commissioner Taran Brown moved to find a "common-sense exemption" under CEQA for tentative parcel map PPM25-057 and to waive the final map; the motion passed 6-0. Commissioner Whitlatch moved to approve a categorical exemption under CEQA (Title 14, CCR §15303) for tentative parcel map PPM25-058; Wayne Millies seconded and the motion carried 6-0.
Votes at a glance: PPM25-057 — motion to approve CEQA common-sense exemption and waive final map; vote 6-0, motion carries. PPM25-058 — motion to approve categorical exemption (Title 14, CCR §15303) and waive final map; vote 6-0, motion carries. PSP25-060 & PSP25-062 — motions to certify MND, adopt MMRP, and approve permits with findings and conditions; each motion carried 6-0.
What happens next: The approved solar applications include mitigation measures to be implemented and monitored by county staff. Construction and any future development proposals remain subject to conditions of approval and required permit compliance. The permits and parcel maps will proceed in county records and any implementation steps (such as building permits) will be handled by county departments.
Sources: meeting presentation and motions by county staff and commissioners during the March 11, 2026 Tulare County Planning Commission meeting.
