Planning Commission approves two solar canopies at Holiday Inn Express parking lot

The Planning Commission on April 22 recommended approval of a development review permit (D25‑0016) for two solar canopies at the Holiday Inn Express parking lot at 3751 North Tracy Boulevard.

Assistant Planner Christina Delgadillo said the site is zoned highway service and lies within 500 feet of I‑205, which requires planning commission approval for new structures. The proposal includes two canopies (a T‑frame and an L‑frame), removal of nine trees with replacement elsewhere on the site, and no loss of parking stalls. Staff recommended approval and applied a CEQA exemption for small accessory structures (Guidelines §15303).

Representatives from Tenco Solar and Sage Crest described the project’s energy sizing and operations. David Blumenthal of Sage Crest said the canopy array is programmed at roughly 100% of the hotel’s average needs and includes two batteries “to take us into the evening hours,” adding the project is not designed to export surplus generation back to the grid. A Tenco Solar project manager (identified as Vanessa) said the company is available to answer construction and permitting questions.

Commissioners asked whether the canopy elevation would be visible from the freeway; staff said the canopies’ heights would not create visibility issues and that the item was before the commission solely because the parcel lies within the 500‑foot freeway‑adjacent review zone. A motion to approve the permit carried on a roll‑call vote.

Staff and the applicant said they will coordinate required tree replacement and standard construction permits before work begins.