Continued public hearing to consider a recommendation by the Planning Commission to approve a Major Use Permit and associated Conditions of Approval for the Reduced Footprint Alternative and partial cancellation of Williamson Act Agreement No. 71-206 to construct and operate the Gibson Solar Farm Project, a large-scale solar energy system and battery energy storage facility; adopt resolution certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report; and adopt Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program for the Gibson Solar Farm Project. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Gonzalez) (Est. Time: Staff 5 min/ Applicant 5 min)

For Project details, please refer to Attachment G to review the Staff Report prepared for the Gibson Solar Farm Project's public hearing item on September 26, 2023.

On September 26, 2023, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to consider a recommendation by the Yolo County Planning Commission on the proposed Gibson Solar Farm Project, a large-scale solar energy and battery storage system that would locate on an approximately 147-acre agriculturally zoned parcel to provide a local source of renewable energy (refer to Attachment G for project details). After a lengthy discussion, the Board continued the item to the October 10, 2023, Board meeting at the request of the Applicant.

During the Board’s deliberations, it was suggested that the item be returned to the Planning Commission for a final decision on the Use Permit, Conditions of Approval, and EIR since the Reduced Footprint Alternative recommended by staff could be approved by the Planning Commission under the County's revised Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. Thus, based on the staff's understanding of the Board's desire, the recommended action is to refer the matter back to the Planning Commission.

However, given that the partial cancellation of the Williamson Act contract will still require Board action if the project were approved by the Planning Commission, the Board may, alternatively, decide to consider final approval or denial of the project in its entirety at this hearing. Staff would support this course of action, considering the project was reviewed and recommended by the Planning Commission, and there is no jurisdictional bar from the Board being the final decision-making body for the project.
 

During the September 26th discussion, the Board also considered concerns related to spray buffers and whether the project adequately addresses meeting buffer requirements. After the meeting, staff consulted with the Agricultural Commissioner to discuss these concerns and to review permit conditions for restricted spraying. The Ag Commissioner clarified that a solar array would not be considered an environmentally sensitive area; therefore, a 500-foot buffer need not be applied in this instance. Furthermore, no comments or complaints were submitted by neighboring operators, and the surrounding orchards apply air blast orchard sprayers, which only require a 50-foot buffer, commensurate with the zoning setback requirements for large-scale solar energy systems. Thus, the staff believes the project is adequately conditioned to offset any agricultural conflict and has prepared an additional condition to address spraying while employees may be onsite for routine maintenance and panel washing. Please refer to Condition of Approval #18 in Attachment F, which would require the Applicant to coordinate with surrounding agricultural operators when the project site will be occupied by workers.

Following the September 26th meeting, staff and the applicant coordinated to address the concerns noted above. The Applicant has prepared a response addressing the concerns, which can be found in Attachment I. The project materials for the previous Board meeting are available online at the following link. (Item 21 at the September 26, 2023 meeting).

Staff consulted with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office, the Office of the County Counsel, and the other agencies and interested parties noted in the September 26th staff report (Attachment G).