Utility-Scale Solar Amendments
Summary
SCH Number
2024110254
Lead Agency
Santa Barbara County
Document Title
Utility-Scale Solar Amendments
Document Type
NOP - Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR
Received
Present Land Use
Several
Document Description
The project proposes to remove the 600-acre utility-scale solar overlay restriction in Cuyama Valley and allow such projects with Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) on various zoned lands throughout the unincorporated county. It also introduces a new "community-scale" solar category for smaller facilities. The project aims to streamline solar permitting processes and update multiple county plans and regulations to meet state requirements including the County of Santa Barbara Comprehensive Plan; Coastal Land Use Plan; County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC); Montecito LUDC; Article II Coastal Zoning Ordinance; Gaviota Coast Plan and other relevant community plans; and Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones (Uniform Rules).
Contact Information
Name
Zoe Carlson
Agency Name
County of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Luci Hise-fisher
Agency Name
Environmental Science Associates
Job Title
Consulting Planner
Contact Types
Consulting Firm
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated areas
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Countywide
State Highways
101, 1, 154, 192, 246
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marin Region 7 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 5 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region 3 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights
Development Types
Other (future solar projects (utility-scale and smaller facilities))
Local Actions
Policy and Zoning Amendments
Project Issues
Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Coastal Zone, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Growth Inducement, Land Use/Planning, Noise, Transportation, Wetland/Riparian, GHG, Energy
Public Review Period Start
Public Review Period End
Attachments
Draft Environmental Document [Draft IS, NOI_NOA_Public notices, OPR Summary Form, Appx,]
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.