[This is a draft webpage and may be subject to change]
Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap
Project Background
The County’s General Plan includes several policies and programs related to renewable energy. Planning Division staff have been researching and working on many of these programs and are now preparing a collection of zoning ordinance revisions and general plan amendments to implement them. In addition, since some of the energy programs impact land around Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) – Pt. Mugu, the collection of zoning ordinance amendments also addresses additional General Plan programs related to military land use compatibility around NBVC – Pt. Mugu.
This collection of renewable energy and military land use compatibility ordinance revisions and general plan amendments is referred to as the “County of Ventura Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap (or ‘Roadmap’).” Not only will these initiatives fulfill General Plan program requirements, but the Roadmap also addresses priorities identified by the Board of Supervisors and aligns with evolving state priorities and policy direction.
What’s in the Roadmap?
Milestones Accomplished in 2023-2024 (Renewable Energy Program)
The first energy program completed was a study to assess suitable sites for the development of utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects in unincorporated Ventura County. (General Plan Program COS-O) Planning Division staff presented this study to the Board of Supervisors on December 19, 2023 (See Agenda Item #64). The Board supported the general concept of developing battery energy storage capabilities and directed staff to continue developing options for implementation.
Based on the Board’s interest, several other important actions were taken around this time.
- The Planning Director issued a Planning Director “Use Equivalency Determination,” explaining that the battery energy storage land use was equivalent to “energy production from renewable sources” and therefore would be an allowed use in land zoned Open Space, Agriculture-Exclusive, and Rural-Agriculture.
On May 21, 2024 (See Agenda Item #49), the Board approved changes to the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance incorporating the “Use Equivalency Determination” while limiting the amount of land that could be used for battery energy storage to 100 .
Ongoing Project Development
While work during 2023-2024 focused on battery energy storage, the Roadmap now includes a much larger package of energy and military land use compatibility components, as shown in the list below. All program components will be implemented through a combination of General Plan amendments and zoning ordinance amendments, which will ultimately need to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors are anticipated by the close of 2025.
I. General Plan Programs – Energy
- Zero Emission Fuel Production in the Industrial Zones – Program LU-E
- Solar Concentration Restriction – Program HAZ-O
- Incentive Program for Passive Home Design and Use of Green Roofs and Rooftop Gardens – Program HAZ-U
- Incentive Programs for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Carports – Program HAZ-W
- Assessment of Land Near Electrical Transmission and Distribution Lines – Program COS-O
- Solar Canopies in Non-Residential Projects – Program COS-U
- Incentives for Development of Renewable Energy Projects – Program COS-Q
II. General Plan Programs – Military Land Use Compatibility
- Amend Zoning Ordinance [to comply with FAA vertical obstruction guidelines] – Program LU-L
- Update Plans and Amend Regulations with AICUZ Recommended Land Uses – Program LU-K
- Military Compatibility Area – Program LU-M
- Frequency Spectrum Areas of Concern – Program HAZ-N
III. Other Ordinance Amendments
If approved by the Board, the Roadmap will include other amendments to the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance, the Coastal Zoning Ordinance, and the Subdivision .
Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance Amendments
- Energy Storage Facility Development Standards
- Energy Production from Renewable Sources Development Standards, Including Solar Energy Facilities and Wind Energy Structures
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Development Standards
- Development of a Military Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
Coastal Zoning Ordinance Amendments
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Development Standards
- Development of a Military Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
- FAA Airport Height Limits
- Wind Energy Structure Development Standards
Subdivision Ordinance Amendments
- Subdivision Ordinance Exclusion (as required by Assembly Bill 2625)
Document Library
Below are a collection of foundational documents that support the Energy and Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap.
| Document Title | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| AICUZ Study (2015) | Air Installation Compatible Use Zones Study prepared by the U.S. Navy for NBVC – Pt. Mugu. Identifies noise zones and accident potential zones. | Click Here |
| JLUS Final Report (2015) | Joint Land Use Study developed in collaboration with NBVC and regional stakeholders to address military compatibility and land use coordination. | Click Here |
| Director’s Use Equivalency Determination (2024) | Equivalency Use Determination for a Solar and Battery Renewable Energy Production and Storage Facility Principal Land Use with Accessory Medium- and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle Charging in the Non-Coastal Areas of Unincorporated Ventura County (Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance). | Click Here |
| Director’s Use Equivalency Determination (2023) | Equivalency Use Determination for Battery Energy Storage in the Non-Coastal Areas of Unincorporated Ventura County (Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance). | Click Here |
| Director’s Memorandum (2008) | The purpose of this memo is to inform staff how to apply the Ventura County Non-Coastal and Coastal Zoning Ordinances to requests for installation of small wind turbines intended for on-site use. | Click Here |
| County Of Ventura Renewable Energy Project Siting Assessment | Final County of Ventura Renewable Energy Project Siting Assessment. | Click Here |
| County Of Ventura Incentive for All-Electric Construction | Board of Supervisor’s resolution to establish an incentive for all electric construction. | Click Here |
| GCTD ZEB Rollout Plan (2022) | This document provides a detailed plan of the technology, needs, and strategies that will help Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) transition to a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) fleet. | Click Here |
| VCTC ZEB Rollout Plan (2023) | This document provides a detailed plan of the technology, needs, and strategies that will help Ventura County Transportation Commission’s transition to a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) fleet. | Click Here |
Staff Contacts
For questions regarding the Energy Roadmap, please contact Todd Davis, Case Planner, at 805-654-2498 or at Todd.Davis@venturacounty.gov
For questions regarding the Military Land Use Compatibility Roadmap, please contact Matthew Hershberger, Case Planner, at 805-662-6518 or at Matthew.Hershberger@venturacounty.gov
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