HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution _4712- Case 20.146RESOLUTION NO. 4712
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
CONDITIONAL APPROVAL (WITH A MODIFICATION TO
THE PROPOSED SCENIC SETBACK ALONG
INTERSTATE 10) TO THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE FOR
AMENDED CASE NO, 20.146, AN APPLICATION BY
MOUNTAIN VIEW POWER PARTNERS, LLC
(PREVIOUSLY SEAWEST WINDPOWER, INC. AND
VENTURE PACIFIC, INC.), FOR THE INSTALLATION OF
35 900-1000 KW WIND TURBINES OR 45 600 KW WIND
TURBINES ON APPROXIMATELY 554.2 ACRES OF LAND
(WECS NO. 103) LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 10,
DIRECTLY NORTH OF WINDY POINT AND DIRECTLY
SOUTH OF WHITEWATER HILL, SECTION 13, T3S, R3E,
SBBM (SPHERE OF INFLUENCE).
WHEREAS, Mountain View Power Partners, LLC (the "applicant") has filed an amended
application with the County of Riverside forthe installation of 35 900-1000 kW wind turbines
OR 45 600 kW wind turbines on a 554.2 acre vacant site, located in unincorporated
Riverside County, south of Interstate 10, directly north of Windy Point and directly south of
Whitewater Hill, Section 13, T3S, R3E, SBBM; and
WHEREAS, development of this site is subject to approval by Riverside County; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Planning Department has submitted the amended
application (including a copy of Draft Environmental Impact Report No. # 416 and related
Technical Appendices) as described above to the City as a courtesy review, due to its
potential for creating detrimental environmental impactswithin 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 amended application contemplates the installation of 35 900-1000 kW
series wind turbines, generally in three north/south arrays OR the installation of 45 600 kW
series wind turbines in four north/south arrays; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1999, the Planning Commission reviewed the original application
for Case No. 20.146, which at that time contemplated the installation of 43 900-1000 kW
series wind turbines, generally in three north/south arrays OR the installation of 65 600 kW
series wind turbines in four north/south arrays; and
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of its meeting on May 26, 1999, the Planning Commission
adopted its Resolution No. 4647, and made recommendations to the City Council that were
recommended to be forwarded on to the County of Riverside; and
k
setbacks less than that required by the City of Palm Springs will significantly degrade this
scenic resource; and
WHEREAS, in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), it is concluded that the
project will significantly alter the existing visual environment of the immediate area,
particularly the eastbound view into the Upper Coachella Valleyfrom Interstate 10, resulting
in an unavoidable adverse aesthetic impact; and
WHEREAS, in the DEIR, a conclusion is forwarded that the development of additional
sources of renewable non-polluting energy is a reason to consider development of the site
according to the proposed plan despite the visual impacts of the project; and
WHEREAS, if approved by the County of Riverside, the proposed scenario with 35 900-
1000 kW wind turbines is preferred as the option that would have less of a visual impact
upon the area. In addition, the color of the wind turbines and all appurtenances should
receive an exterior color finish treatment that blends with the natural surroundings as much
as possible, outdoor advertising should be eliminated from the site, a lattice -type tower
should be used to reduce visual impacts associated with wind energy development and the
meteorological towers that encroach into the required 213 mile scenic setback along
Highway 111 be relocated to another area on the property, outside of any City required
scenic setback area; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the amended project at its meeting of
September 13, 2000, 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
7 Commission hereby presents comments regarding of Case No. 20.146 to the Riverside
County Planning Commission, finding that the proposed amended application as described
is not recommended as proposed for the reasons contained in the above facts, but would
be recommended for approval if the application were modified to comply with the City
required scenic setbacks along Interstate 10. Comments are on file in the Department of
Planning & Building's office, as forwarded to the County of Riverside.
ADOPTED this 13th day of September_, 2000.
AYES: Mills, Jurasky, Shoenberger, Matthews, Raya
NOES: Klatchko
ABSENT: Caffery
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Bye73 AAA&P. Je&Mde14,
Planning Commission Chairman Planning mmission Secretary