HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 09 - PA 2021-26City Council Agenda Report
City of Lake Elsinore 130 South Main Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
www.lake-elsinore.org
File Number: ID# 22-313
Agenda Date: 8/9/2022 Status: Approval FinalVersion: 1
File Type: Council Consent
Calendar
In Control: City Council / Successor Agency
Agenda Number: 9)
Notice of Decision - Planning Commission Approval of Planning Application No. 2021-26
(Ortega BESS) Requesting Design Review Approval to Construct a 20-Megawatt Battery
Energy Storage System
Receive and File the Notice of Decision for Planning Application No. 2021-26 acted on by the Planning
Commission on July 19, 2022.
The Planning Commission by a 4-0 vote:
Adopted A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 2021-26 (COMMERCIAL DESIGN REVIEW
NO. 2021-12) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 20-MEGAWATT BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE
SYSTEM LOCATED AT APN: 377-200-045.
Page 1 City of Lake Elsinore Printed on 8/4/2022
Page 1 of 2
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by: Kevin Beery, Associate Planner
Date: August 9, 2022
Subject: Notice of Decision – Planning Commission Approval of Planning Application
No. 2021-26 (Ortega BESS) Requesting Design Review Approval to Construct
a 20-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System
Applicant: Ortega Grid, LLC
Recommendation
Receive and File the Notice of Decision for Planning Application No. 2021-26 acted on by the
Planning Commission on July 19, 2022.
The Planning Commission, by a 4-0 vote:
Adopted A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 2021-26
(COMMERCIAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. 2021-12) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 20-
MEGAWATT BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM LOCATED AT APN: 377-200-045.
The Commission’s decision is final, and no action by the City Council is required unless the City
Council, by majority vote, elects to review and reconsider the Commission’s decision by ordering
the matter set for a future noticed public hearing according to Section 17.410.100.F of the Lake
Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC), or the applicant or an interested person files a complete appeal
application within 15 days of this notice appearing on the City Council’s agenda.
Background
Planning Application No. 2021-26 (Ortega BESS) is a request for Design Review Approval (CDR-
2021-12) to construct a 20-megawatt battery energy storage system on a 1.79-acre site in the C-
2 district. The proposed development site is located southeast of the intersection of Camino Del
Norte and O Hana Circle (APN: 377-200-045).
The Planning Commission originally heard the Project at its regular meeting on June 21, 2022,
during which Commission members expressed concerns regarding the efficacy of the proposed
screening measures, including landscaping and fencing along the interior site boundaries. The
Planning Commission then continued the Project to its July 19, 2022, regular meeting to allow the
applicant additional time to address the concerns raised.
PA 2021-26 (Ortega BESS)
August 09, 2022
Page 2 of 2
At the July 19, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, the applicant presented revised development
plans showing additional rear landscaping and replacing a back security fence with a solid,
decorative block wall. The applicant also provided additional exhibits, including a vicinity map and
site cross-section, demonstrating that the proposed facility would be effectively screened from
neighboring land uses. The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve the Project.
Fiscal Impact
The time and costs related to processing this application have been covered by fees paid for by
the applicant. No General Fund budget has been allocated or used in the processing of this
application. The approval of the Project does not fiscally impact the City’s General Fund.
Mitigation Measures to protect the City fiscally have already been included in the Conditions of
Approval.
Exhibits
A – Planning Commission Staff Report