HomeMy WebLinkAbout19498 - RESOLUTIONS - 4/7/1999 RESOLUTION NO. 19498
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS , CALIFORNIA , PROVIDING
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY OF
RIVERSIDE REGARDING CASE NO. 20.145, (WECS '
NO. 99), AN APPLICATION BY ENRON WIND
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF 25 750 KW SERIES WIND
TURBINE GENERATORS ON APPROXIMATELY 600
ACRES OF LAND LOCATED SOUTH IN INTERSTATE
10, WEST OF SNOW CREEK ROAD AND HIGHWAY
111, SECTIONS 8 AND 17, T3S, R3E, SBBM.
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WHEREAS, Enron Wind Development Corporation (the "applicant") has filed an
application with the County of Riverside for the installation of 25 750 kW wind turbines
on a 600 acre vacant site, located in unincorporated Riverside County, located south of
Interstate 10, west of Snow Creek Road and ]Highway 111, Sections 8 and 17, 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 application for
the installation of 25 wind turbines as described above, along with a related change of zone
application and variance application for this project 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) with
limited areas of "L2" (Residential Low - maximum 2 dwelling units per acre) in
conjunction with the annexation study for the northern area of the City in 1991-92,; and
WHEREAS, the application contemplates the installation of 25 750 kW series wind
turbines, generally in two north/south arrays; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission independently reviewed the project at its meeting
of March 10, 1999, and made recommendations to the City Council that are recommended
to be forwarded to the County of Riverside; and
WHEREAS, although the project technically meets all scenic setback criteria from the
surrounding scenic corridors, the application contemplates the installation of said wind
turbines within an area that is easily viewed and is not screened by any natural features
from Highway 111 and Interstate 10, creating a significant visual impact to the immediate
area; and
WHEREAS, the southernmost extension of the arrays would be highly visible and within f
close proximity to the village of Snow Creek; and
WHEREAS, the application represents a further progression of wind turbines eastward
along the south side of Interstate 10, leaving only the foothills near Windy Point as the
only visual barrier between the proposed turbines and the City of Palm Springs; and
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WHEREAS, if approved by the County of Riverside, 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; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the project at its meeting of April 7, 1999 and
concurred with the recommendations of the Planning Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the City
Council hereby presents comments regarding of Case No. 20.145 to the Riverside County
Planning Commission, finding that the proposed use as described is not recommended for
the reasons contained in the above facts. Comments are on file in the Office of the City
Clerk, as forwarded to the County of Riverside.
ADOPTED this 7 day of April , 1999.
AYES: Members Barnes, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst
NOES: None
ABSENT: Member Hodges
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM-SPRINGS, C LIFORNIA
By
City Clerk City p a ger
' REVIEWED AND APPROVED: AWL
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