HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppeal Hellman Solar PresentationCity Council
12/8/2025
Hellman Ranch Solar Project
Proposal
•1.5 Megawatt (MW) Fixed-Tilt Ground
Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System for
use by Hellman Oil and Gas Production
Facility
Site Location
Background
•Oil Production Facility Since the 1920s
•Property zoned “OE” (Oil Extraction)
•General Planning designates this area for Oil
Extraction activities
•Solar will interconnect with existing onsite
electrical infrastructure
Typical Solar Array Tables
Proposed Solar PV Electrical System Footprint
CEQA Baseline
•CEQA Guidelines §15125(a): the required
baseline is the actual existing physical
conditions on the ground when
environmental review begins.
“BASELINE” (existing conditions)
Existing Conditions
•100-year-old industrial site with active oil
production uses.
•Annual fuel modifications
•Long-established condition as a highly disturbed
and managed environment
Environmental Review
•Initial Study Prepared
•Potential Impacts Identified: Glare, Least Bell’s
Vireo, Burrowing Owl, Southern Tarplant,
Coulters goldfields, and tribal cultural resources
•Mitigation Measures Identified
•Mitigation Negative Declaration prepared
SB 32: Reduce GHG
emission 40% below
1990 levels by 2030
Net reduction – 411
metric tons annually
Equivalent of removing
90 cars from the road
every year
Outreach Efforts
•December 2023 – Tribal Consultation (AB 52)
•July 2024 – Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority and
Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Use Trust
MND vs EIR
MND (Mitigated Negative Declaration)
•All potential impacts can be reduced to less than significant through the adoption of
mitigation measures
•Does not require analysis of project alternatives
•Public Review is 30 days
•No Statement of Overriding Consideration is allowed
EIR (Environmental Impact Report)
•The project may cause a significant and unavoidable environmental impact
•Mitigation may not be feasible or cannot reduce impact to less than significant
•Must analyze project alternatives
•Public Review requires Notice of Preparation and Public Scoping Meeting, 45 -day
review of Draft EIR, and a response to all public and agency comments in Final EIR
•Allows for Statement of Overriding Consideration
Public Review
•Public Review Period of Initial Study: July 24, 2025 to
September 19, 2025 – Extended by request of LCWLT
•EQCB Meeting – August 20, 2025
•Planning Commission Hearing – September 29, 2025
Proposed Solar PV Electrical System Footprint
Reversion to Wetlands
•Property must be converted to wetlands
once oil operations cease
Recommendation
•Adopt Resolution 7721 Denying the Appeal and Upholding
the PC Decision, Adopting the IS/MND and MMRP, and
Approving the MUP, Subject to Conditions of Approval, to
Allow the Installation and Operation of a 1.5 MW Fixed-Tilt
Ground Mounted Solar PV System at the Hellman Ranch Oil
and Gas Production Facility
NEXT STEPS: Submission to Coastal Commission for a
Coastal Development Permit