HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution _4666- Case 20.146RESOLUTION NO. 4666
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY OF
RIVERSIDE REGARDING CASE NO. 20.146, AN
APPLICATION BY SEAWEST WINDPOWER, INC. FOR
THE INSTALLATION OF 29 900-1000 KW WIND
TURBINES ON APPROXIMATELY 306.6 ACRES OF
LAND (WECS NO. 107) LOCATED IN
UNINCORPORATED RIVERSIDE COUNTY,
DIRECTLY SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE
10/HIGHWAY 62 INTERSECTION, NORTH OF WINDY
POINT AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 111, SECTIONS 18
AND 19, T3S, R4E, SBBM (SPHERE OF INFLUENCE).
WHEREAS, Seawest Windpower, Inc. (the "applicant") has filed an application with the
County of Riverside for the installation of 29 900-1000 kW wind turbines on a 306.6 acre
vacant site, located in unincorporated Riverside County, directly south of the Interstate
10/Highway 62 intersection, north of Windy Point and south of Highway 111, Sections 18
and 19, T3S, R4E, SBBM; and
WHEREAS, development of this site is subject to approval by Riverside County; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Planning Department has submitted the application as
described above to the City as a courtesy review, due to its potential for creating
detrimental environmental impacts within the City of Palm Springs and because 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
WHEREAS, the site was recommended for a designation of "W" (Watercourse) and "D"
(Desert) in conjunction with the annexation study for the northern area of the City in 1991-
92; and
WHEREAS, the application contemplates the installation of 29 900-1000 kW series wind
turbines, generally in two north/south arrays; and
WHEREAS, one of the 29 proposed wind turbines does not meet the City's or the County
of Riverside WECS scenic setback requirements from Interstate 10 and no natural features
exist to provide a visual buffer between the northernmost wind turbines and Interstate 10;
and
s
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed Case No. 20.146, a proposal for the development
of 506.2 acres of vacant land with similar development parameters in Section 13,
immediately west of the site in question, for wind energy development on July 21, 1999
and July 28, 1999, and recommended denial to the County of Riverside Board of
Supervisors for the following reasons:
— Large portions of Interstate 10, between Highway I I I and Indian Canyon Drive,
remain mostly undeveloped and serve as a predominately unspoiled scenic corridor,
with little or no visual impact on the natural desert surroundings, especially looking
southerly along Interstate 10; and
Since the late 1980's, only limited electric transmission lines have been installed
and, with the exception of a few new billboards installed on reservation lands of
the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (near the intersection of Highway I I I
and Interstate 10), approximately three billboards exist along this section of
Interstate 10, all of which, in all likelihood, have been in existence prior to 1982,
all of which are on the north side of Interstate 10; and
No significant natural features exist in close proximity to the Interstate 10 frontage
for screening, thus creating a potentially significant visual impact to the immediate
area as a result of the proposed scenic setback amendments; and
— The City of Palm Springs has established a minimum scenic setback of 1315 feet
(1/4 mile) along Interstate 10 between Highway 62 and the Whitewater River (the
Whitewater Grade); and
— The Whitewater Grade, between the Whitewater River and Highway 62 provides
a dramatic view of the entire Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountains and
development of the subject parcel with 300-foot tall wind turbine generators will
significantly degrade this scenic resource; and
WHEREAS, the vehicular overpass from eastbound Interstate 10 to northbound Highway
62, which is approximately 18 feet above the ground surface and offers an unobstructed
view of the property in question, exists near the northwest corner of the site; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the project at its meeting of October 27,
1999, and made recommendations to the City Council that are recommended to be
forwarded on to the County of Riverside.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the Planning
Commission hereby presents comments regarding of Case No. 20.151 to the Riverside
County Planning Commission, recommending that:
1. In conjunction with this application, the scenic setback along Interstate 10 should
be a minimum of 1315 feet (114 mile), given the close proximity of the vehicular
overpass from eastbound Interstate 10 to northbound Highway 62 and the potential
aesthetic impacts Wind Energy Development of this specific site would have on this
"Gateway" site at the west end of the Coachella Valley. This recommended Scenic
Setback is consistent with the City of Palm Springs Zoning Ordinance requirements
for areas within the Whitewater Grade area;
2. A comprehensive noise study be completed to address the locational impacts of the
new turbines combined with the cumulative noise impacts of existing wind turbines
in the immediate area, to the community of West Garnet; and
3. The wind turbines and all appurtenances should receive an exterior color finish
treatment that blends with the natural surroundings as much as possible, any
outdoor advertising should be eliminated from the site and a lattice -type of tower
should be used to minimize visual impacts to surrounding areas as much as
possible.
Comments are on file in the Office of the Department of Planning and Building, as
forwarded to the County of Riverside.
ADOPTED this 27th day of October , 1999.
AYES: Mills, Fontana, Caffery, Jurasky, Raya, Matthews, Klatchko
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATT CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
A //z
ZPlanning Commission Chairman Pl g Commission Secretary
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Q1,11
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