Renewable Energy Program, Phase 1
Summary
SCH Number
2024051062
Public Agency
Ventura County
Document Title
Renewable Energy Program, Phase 1
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/23/2024
Document Description
County-Initiated Ordinance Amending Articles 2, 5, 7 and 19 of the Ventura County Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO) to Amend the Definition for “Energy Production from Renewable Sources” and Add a Definition, Use Category, and Acreage Limitation for “Energy Storage” Facilities in Certain Zones.
Contact Information
Name
Donald Nielsen
Agency Name
County of Ventura, Resource Management Agency, Planning Division
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Ventura
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
All non-coastal unincorporated areas of Ventura County
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15308, Actions by regulatory agencies for protection of the environment; 15061(b)(3), No Impact.
Reasons for Exemption
The Proposed Amendments are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the amendments may cause a significant effect on the environment. Currently, there is no established limitation on the amount of land that can be devoted to energy storage in the OS, AE, and RA zones. The project limits the number of acres in these zones that can be used for energy storage facilities. Therefore, the Proposed Amendments are protective of the environment and will not cause a significant effect upon it.
Additionally, the Proposed Amendments are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308 (Class 8) as a regulatory action to assure the maintenance and protection of the environment, and no unusual circumstances or other exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 preclude application of the Class 8 exemption. The Proposed Amendments merely codify an existing Planning Director Use Equivalency Determination that already allows battery energy storage in the OS, AE, and RA zones, and the Proposed Amendments limit the number of acres that are allowed to be utilized for energy storage in those zones. Therefore, the Proposed Amendments maintain and protect the existing environment.
The Proposed Amendments are also programmatic so subsequent individual projects will be reviewed for environmental impacts through the discretionary approval process.
County Clerk
Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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