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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. ------------- 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 R19498 Page 2 v` 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 1