San Benito County - Planning Commission - Regular Meeting - 6/17/2026

The San Benito County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on June 17, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and providing recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding proposed text amendments to Title 25 of the county code related to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The discussion centered on a draft ordinance that establishes zoning restrictions, land use standards, safety regulations, and permitting requirements for BESS facilities in unincorporated areas of the county. Key procurement-related topics included conditional use permits, impact mitigation measures such as fees and reimbursements to emergency services, and requirements for technical safety studies and financial assurances. Public comments highlighted concerns about the ordinance potentially creating a de facto ban on BESS projects due to stringent setbacks and land use restrictions, the need for clear local benefits from such projects, and the importance of safety standards including fire suppression and battery chemistry restrictions. The commission expressed interest in seeing detailed parcel mapping to understand feasible sites and requested additional information on battery chemistry prohibitions and setback distances. Ultimately, the commission voted 4-1 to continue the item to the August meeting to allow staff to incorporate feedback and provide further analysis before forwarding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.