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Conduct a noticed Public Hearing to consider adopting an urgency interim ordinance to prohibit new commercial battery energy storage systems within the unincorporated areas of the County of Solano (4/5 vote required); the proposed urgency interim ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to section 15060 (c)(2) and is exempt from sections 15061(b)(3), 15307, and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X__ No ___
Public Hearing Required? Yes _X__ No ___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Conduct a noticed public hearing;
2. Read the proposed ordinance by title only and waive further reading by majority vote; and
3. Adopt an urgency interim ordinance to prohibit new commercial battery energy storage systems within the unincorporated areas of the County of Solano (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
At the December 5, 2023 Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting, issues related to commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) were raised by the public and Board members, resulting in staff receiving general direction to return to the Board with a proposed urgency ordinance placing a temporary moratorium on the approval of such facilities in unincorporated Solano County. Upon approval of an urgency ordinance, staff will work through the Board's Land Use and Transportation Committee (LUTC), including obtaining industry and public comment, to develop recommended amendments to Solano County's Zoning Regulations (Solano County Code, Chapter 28) to include specific siting, monitoring, and safety requirements for BESS facilities to protect the public and environment, and will bring these back for the Board's consideration. The initial term of the urgency ordinance (Attachment A) cannot exceed 45-days per State law and staff anticipates returning to the Board for consideration of an extension to provide a...
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