Planning Group Votes Unanimously Against Proposed Solar Project on Warnock Drive

The controversial photovoltaic solar farm proposed for a pig farm property on Warnock Drive garnered a unanimous “no” vote from the Ramona Community Planning Group on Thursday night. Although some members said they were originally more supportive of the idea, all 11 of those who cast a vote lined up in unison opposing it on several grounds.

“Most of us on the planning group are not against the project,” Matt Deskovick told representatives of the applicant, Sol Orchard. “We’ve told you every which way: We’re just against the property where you want to put it.”

Planning group members expressed concern based on the bulk scale of the project. The final motion noted that the proposed 45 acres of solar panels would be a “blight” on the landscape, would cause the loss of prime farm land and would not be in keeping with community character. The advisory planning group will send its recommendation to the County. Then the proposed project will go before the Planning Commission for a vote.

Chad Anderson, Eb Hogervorst, Angus Tobiason and Richard Tomlinson were absent for the vote.

The meeting drew about 50 people; eight members of the community spoke on the proposal and most were vehemently against it.

Other people in the audience came to hear presentations on Forest Conservation Initiative lands in Ramona and the County's Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program.

The meeting went until nearly 11 p.m.

Patch will provide a more comprehensive account of the meeting later on Friday.