HomeMy WebLinkAbout06. Set a public hearing on 09-02-21 to receive comments on a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Solar Array Project Page 1 of 3
Item 6.
CENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
MEETINGDATE: AUGUST5, 2021
SUBJECT: SETA PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 AT 1:30 P.M. TO
RECEIVE COMMENTS ON A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
THE PROPOSED CENTRAL SAN SOLAR ARRAY PROJECT
SUBMITTED BY: INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
RUSS LEAVITT, ENGINEERING ASSISTANT ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES-
III PDS-RESOURCE RECOVERY
REVIEWED BY: MELODY LABELLA, RESOURCE RECOVERY PROGRAM MANAGER
JEAN-MARC PETIT, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL
SERVICES
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
ISSUE
Conducting a public hearing is customary prior to the Board of Directors (Board) considering approval of a
resolution to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve a proposed project.
BACKGROUND
At its November 5, 2020 meeting, the Central San Board authorized the General Manager to execute a
Power Purchase Agreement with REC Solar Commercial Corporation for a solar photovoltaic system on
Central San property. After its substantial design, a draft Mitigated Negative Declaration has been
prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)for construction and operation of a 1.75
megawatt solar panel array. The project would be located on approximately 8.2 acres of a 48-acre parcel at
4451 Blum Road in unincorporated Martinez (APN 159-140-042-7), which is owned by Central San and
referred to as the "Lagiss parcel" (Attachment 1).
The proposed solar panel array would be accessed from the northern end of Blum Road via extension of
an existing private driveway. The proposed solar panel array would be encircled by a service road and
August 5, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 59 of 262
Page 2 of 3
perimeter fence. The existing surface area to be covered by the proposed ground-mounted solar panel
modules is approximately 2.5 acres. Combined, solar panel modules together with the service road and
driveway, the area covered is approximately 4.0 acres of the 8.2 acres. The remainder (4.2 acres) is
generally retention basins or aisle space between rows of panels, with only minor area being used for
inverters; panelboards; main photovoltaic switchboard; step-down, pad-mounted transformer; and intertie
switchgear.
To obtain a copy of the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration with the I nitial Study, please
visit: www.centralsan.org/solar. Under CEQA, the Board must adopt an environmental document (in this
case, a Mitigated Negative Declaration) prior to considering approval of a project.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
The Board may elect to choose a different date for the public hearing. A public hearing is customarily held
prior to considering approval of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Apart from minor costs for publishing legal notices, there is no financial impact from the Board taking this
action to set the public hearing.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
In compliance with Central San's CEQA Guidelines, legal notices were published in the Contra Costa
Times and the San Ramon Valley Times newspapers of general circulation in the area affected by the
proposed project. The legal notices announced Central San's intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative
Declaration and the availability of the document at www.centralsan.org/solar for a 30-day public review
period. Additionally, copies of the notice were mailed to affected public agencies and property owners in
the Blum Road area.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Mitigated Negative Declaration and the recommendation for approving the proposed Central San
Solar Array project will be brought to the Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee for review in
advance of the public hearing date.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Set a public hearing for September 2, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. to receive comments on a Mitigated Negative
Declaration and the proposed Central San Solar Array Project.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL TWO: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy 4- Reduce reliance on non-renewable energy
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Solar Project Location Map
August 5, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 60 of 262
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RetentionProposed Solar Array
Proposed 20'Wide Access Road
Note:Proposed locations based upon data provided
by Duke Energy- �.
■ Location Map