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WCS200003 Initial Study

Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)

Notice of Intent for WSC200003.
 

Project Information

 

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Project would repower the existing wind energy facilities with modern, higher capacity wind turbine generators (WTGs), and is anticipated to be operational by December 2022. Commercial WECS Permit No. 200003 proposes removal of 93 existing Mitsubishi 600-kilowatt (kW) WTGs and the subsequent installation of 16 Vestas 3.6 and 4.3 MW WTGs with a maximum height of 492 feet. Seven (7) existing Mitsubishi 600 kW WTGs would remain as part of the Project. The Project would result in 139.1 acres of disturbance on a 1,255.19-acre site. Section 18.41.D.3(c) of Ordinance No. 348 allows the planning commission to reduce the established scenic setbacks to 1.25 times the total WECS 492’ height, or 615 feet. The applicant has requested a setback reduction for two WTGs in the northeast portion of the project site to reduce the required scenic setback from 1,320 feet to 1,000 feet. In addition, Change of Zone No. 2000032 proposes to modify a 281.81-acre portion of an existing 600-acre parcel (APN 522-070-027) from Rural Residential (R-R) to Wind Energy (W-E), and Variance Case No. 210007 proposes to reduce the five (5) times rotor diameter wind access setback for seven (7) existing WTGs and four (4) new WTGs.

By this notice, the County is announcing the opening of the 30-day comment period (April 16, 2021, to May 17, 2021). All written comments must be received in writing by May 17, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. (end of the 30-day public review period). Please send all comments via mail to Riverside County Planning Department, Attention: Jay Olivas, 4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501 OR via email to [email protected] (subject line: “WECS200003 - MVPP EA )

PROJECT LOCATION:

The proposed project boundary encompasses approximately 1,255.19 acres of existing energy facilities within unincorporated Riverside County. Specifically, the project site is located within the County, north of the City of Palm Springs, in the northwestern portion of the Coachella Valley. State Route (SR-) 111 and the City of Palm Springs are located south of the project site, and Interstate (I-) 10 is located north of the project site (Figure 2-1, Project Location).

Contact Information

Jay Olivas, Project Planner

Riverside County Planning Department
4080 Lemon St., 12th Floor
Riverside, CA  92501

951-955-6863

[email protected]

Draft Initial Study Documents

MMRP (June 2021)
 
Notice of Availability for Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (WSC200003)

Notice of Availability (NOA) for an initial Study and Enviornmental Assessment Form (WSC200003).
 

Project Information

 

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Project would repower the existing wind energy facilities with modern, higher capacity wind turbine generators (WTGs), and is anticipated to be operational by December 2022. Commercial WECS Permit No. 200003 proposes removal of 93 existing Mitsubishi 600-kilowatt (kW) WTGs and the subsequent installation of 16 Vestas 3.6 and 4.3 MW WTGs with a maximum height of 492 feet. Seven (7) existing Mitsubishi 600 kW WTGs would remain as part of the Project. The Project would result in 139.1 acres of disturbance on a 1,255.19-acre site. Section 18.41.D.3(c) of Ordinance No. 348 allows the planning commission to reduce the established scenic setbacks to 1.25 times the total WECS 492’ height, or 615 feet. The applicant has requested a setback reduction for two WTGs in the northeast portion of the project site to reduce the required scenic setback from 1,320 feet to 1,000 feet. In addition, Change of Zone No. 2000032 proposes to modify a 281.81-acre portion of an existing 600-acre parcel (APN 522-070-027) from Rural Residential (R-R) to Wind Energy (W-E), and Variance Case No. 210007 proposes to reduce the five (5) times rotor diameter wind access setback for seven (7) existing WTGs and four (4) new WTGs.

By this notice, the County is announcing the opening of the 30-day comment period (April 16, 2021, to May 17, 2021). All written comments must be received in writing by May 17, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. (end of the 30-day public review period). Please send all comments via mail to Riverside County Planning Department, Attention: Jay Olivas, 4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501 OR via email to [email protected] (subject line: “WECS200003 - MVPP EA )

PROJECT LOCATION:

The proposed project boundary encompasses approximately 1,255.19 acres of existing energy facilities within unincorporated Riverside County. Specifically, the project site is located within the County, north of the City of Palm Springs, in the northwestern portion of the Coachella Valley. State Route (SR-) 111 and the City of Palm Springs are located south of the project site, and Interstate (I-) 10 is located north of the project site (Figure 2-1, Project Location).

Contact Information

Jay Olivas, Project Planner

Riverside County Planning Department
4080 Lemon St., 12th Floor
Riverside, CA  92501

951-955-6863

[email protected]

Draft Initial Study Documents