DATE: February 11, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Appeal Planning Commission's approval of Unclassified Conditional Use Permit No. 3677, and Certification of Environmental Impact Report No. 7869 (Appellant: Mitchell M. Tsai Law Firm/Carpenters Local 701; Applicant: EDPR CA Solar Park VI LLC)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Consider an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of Unclassified Conditional Use Permit No. 3677 proposing to allow the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the Sonrisa Solar Project (Project), of a photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity facility generating up to 200 megawatts and an energy storage facility with a capacity of approximately 184 megawatts, on approximately 2,000 acres. The Project also proposes to include an approximately 0.2-mile gen-tie connection to an existing 3.3-mile long 230 kilovolt (kV) gen-tie through an adjacent existing energy project which connects to the Tranquillity Switching Station, which is operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
2. If the appeal is denied and the Planning Commission's approval of Unclassified Conditional Use Permit No. 3677 is upheld, the Board should adopt the proposed resolution consisting of the following actions:
a. Find that the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) was presented to, reviewed, and considered by the Board;
b. Find that the decision to certify the FEIR reflects the Board's independent judgement;
c. Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Findings of Fact, approve the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) No. 7869 prepared for the Sonrisa Solar Project;
d. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination in compliance with State law;
e. Make the required Findings specified in Fresno County Zoning Ordinance, Section 842.5.050(B) to uphold Unclassified Conditional...
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