DATE: February 26, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Environmental Impact Report No. 7225 and Unclassified Conditional Use Permit Nos. 3550-3553 and 3577 (Appellant/Applicant: First Solar, Inc.)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Consider appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of Unclassified Conditional Use Permit Application Nos. 3550-3553 and 3577 proposing to allow the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of an up to 180-megawatt photovoltaic electricity generating facility and associated infrastructure on an approximately 1,288-acre site in the AE-20 (Exclusive Agricultural, 20-acre minimum parcel size) Zone District; and if the Appeal is granted,
2. Adopt Resolution to certify Environmental Impact Report No. 7225 (SCH No. 2016011008) prepared for the Little Bear Solar Project, Unclassified Conditional Use Permit Application Nos. 3550-3553 and 3577, as complete and adequate in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act and determine the required Findings specified in Fresno County Zoning Ordinance, Section 873(F) can be made for approval of the Unclassified Conditional Use Permits.
The subject property is located approximately 13 miles east of Interstate 5 (I-5), approximately two miles southwest of the City of Mendota and adjacent to and west of State Route 33 (SR 33), in unincorporated Fresno County. The solar facility project is comprised of approximately 1,288 acres of Westlands Water District-owned land (APNs: 019-110-03ST, -04ST, -05ST, -06ST, and -13ST).
REPORT
This item comes before your Board on appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of the subject application (5 to 3; one Commissioner absent) at its December 6, 2018 hearing. Department of Public Works and Planning staff notes that the Zoning Ordinance requires your Board to determine, independent from the decision of the Planning Commission, whether the application s...
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