HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution _4661- Case 20.150RESOLUTION NO. 4661
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, REGARDING CASE
NO. 20.150, AN APPLICATION BY ENERGY
UNLIMITED, LTD. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF
NINE (9) NORDEX N541000- KW WIND TURBINES TO
REPLACE THE PREVIOUS APPROVAL OF NINETY-
THREE ADDITIONAL (93) 120 kW WIND TURBINES
ON APPROXIMATELY 311 ACRES OF LAND (WECS
NO.25) LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED RIVERSIDE
COUNTY, W-E ZONE, NORTH OF AVENUE 16, WEST
OF WINDHAVEN ROAD, SECTION 1, T3S, R3E, SBBM
WHEREAS, Energy Unlimited, Ltd. (the "applicant") has filed an application with the
County of Riverside Planning Department for a proposal to install a total of 9 1000-kW
wind turbines and concurrently relinquishing the approval of 93 120 kW wind turbines on
approximately 311 acres of land in unincorporated Riverside County, north of Interstate
10 and Avenue 16 west of Windhaven Road, Section 1, T3S, R3E, SBBM; and
WHEREAS, development of this site is subject to approval by the County of Riverside
Board of Supervisors; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Planning Department has submitted the application as
described above to the City as a courtesy review, due to its location adjacent to a
prominent hillside (Painted Hill) in a natural "saddle" area between two hills on the north
side of Interstate 10 and on the west side of Highway 62, in a location potentially visible
from areas within the City limits of Palm Springs; and due to its potential for creating
detrimental environmental impacts within the City of Palm Springs; and
WHEREAS, the subject property was studied in conjunction with the annexation of the
northern portions of the city and the sphere -of -influence in 1991-92 and is near the current
city limit and was given a designation of " C " (Conservation) and " W " (Watercourse) with
the annexation study; and
WHEREAS, the subject property is designated W-E (Wind Energy) by the County of
Riverside; and
WHEREAS, the application contemplates the installation of a total of 9 1000-kW wind
turbines, generally in a series of three north/south arrays, and relinquishing the previous
approval of 93 120kW wind turbines on the property; and
WHEREAS, the new 1000 kW wind turbines are proposed to be approximately 286 feet
in overall height, as measured from finish grade to top of rotor; and
WHEREAS, there are currently 31 120kW wind turbines on the project site; and
WHEREAS, the applicant plans to potentially remove these turbines once the nine new
1000kW turbines are ready for operation and pursue the installation of ten (10) additional
1000 kW wind turbines on WECS 25 or within the immediate vicinity of this site; and
WHEREAS, the removal of the 31 turbines existing on -site nor the installation of the 10
additional turbines are a part of this application; these items will be forwarded to the City
under separate review in the future; and
WHEREAS, in the future, the proposed project site may also include the installation of 10
additional 1000 kW wind turbines and the removal of 31 additional 120 kW wind turbines
on the property; and
WHEREAS, the main service road network already exists on the property in conjunction
with existing WECS on the property and the roads will not require any substantial
modifications or alterations to access the new wind turbines; and
WHEREAS, if approved by the County of Riverside, the general visual environment
would consist of fewer (9), larger, more efficient wind turbines in lieu of the potential of
a substantially larger number (124) of smaller, older less efficient wind turbines; and
WHEREAS, automotive surveys of the area were conducted by staff and it was determined
that the proposed wind turbines would not be visible from the community of Bonnie Bell; 0
and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the project at its meeting of September
22, 1999, and took no formal position on the application and recommended that the City
Council also take no formal position, which will be forwarded to the County of Riverside;
and
WHEREAS, if approved by the County of Riverside, all approved wind turbines should
have a lattice -type tower and all towers and appurtenances should receive an exterior color
finish treatment that blends with the natural surroundings and with the color of the existing
wind energy development immediately in the general vicinity as much as possible, any
outdoor advertising should be eliminated from the site and all components of the
dismantled wind turbines should be removed from the property.
f NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the Planning
Commission hereby takes no formal position regarding of Case No. 20.150 to the
Riverside County Planning Commission, due to the proposed project having no significant
direct or indirect impact on the City of Palm Springs.
ADOPTED this 22nd day of September , 1999.
AYES: Mills, Klatchko, Raya, Caffery, Jurasky, Matthews
NOES:
ABSENT: Fontana
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
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Planning Commission Chairman Planning ssion Secretary
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