Albert Lopez
Planning Director
Planning

Current Development Projects


Altamont Winds, Inc. Permit Modification - Application No. PLN2011-102

The project consists of operational modifications to the Applicant's existing Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) for wind power operation and maintenance activities within the Alameda County portion of the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA). Specifically, the applicant requested modification of its 2005 CUPs that would accomplish the following:

  1. Remove the requirement for phased decommissioning.
  2. Remove the seasonal shutdown requirements.
  3. Provide for 100% of the Applicant's turbines to be shut down by the end of 2015 and decommissioned in one to two years thereafter.
  4. Consider an alternative with 100% shut down in 2018.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and circulated for public review and comment between March 6 and April 19, 2013. The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), containing comments, response to comments and changes to the DEIR was completed and made public on July 5, 2018.

The East County Board of Zoning Adjustments held a public hearing on the EIR (the combined DEIR and FEIR) on July 18, 2013, and after taking comments, certified by Resolution Z 13 35 that the EIR had been completed in compliance with CEQA. Resolution Z 13 35 included three Exhibits, including Findings of Significant Effects, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and a Statement of Overriding Considerations.

The Board then (on July 18, 2013) held a hearing on the project itself and after taking public comments, approved the project by Resolution Z 13 36, with conditions and with mitigation measures identified in the EIR, that with respect to the proposed modifications would:

  1. Remove the requirement for phased decommissioning.
  2. Continue the seasonal shutdown requirements.
  3. Provide for 100% of the Applicant's turbines to be shut down by the end of 2015 and decommissioned in one to two years thereafter.

The EIR considered an alternative with 100% shut down in 2018, but it was rejected.

Staff Reports

CEQA Documents

Approved Resolutions

Staff Contacts

Sandra Rivera, Assistant Deputy Director
(510) 670-6526

Andrew Young, Project Planner
(510) 670-5400