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Current Planning Projects
Projects of Interest:
For a direct link to Planning Commission Agendas and Minutes, click here.
1290 Embarcadero - Vistra Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) #CDP20-026/CUP20-14
(Note: The BESS project is still currently under review and no action has been taken yet.)
If you would like to receive updates on the BESS project, please sign up for Notify Me to receive email notice updates.
In an effort to provide more information regarding the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, Vistra has created a website for their project that includes project information and frequently asked questions (FAQs). You can visit their website at www.morrobayenergystorage.com. Note, this is not a City-maintained website. The information included is provided by Vistra.
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project is still within the environmental review and analysis phase. Updates will be posted here as they become available with project information noted below. For staff questions, contact Cindy Jacinth, Planning Manager at cjacinth@morrobayca.gov.
Power Plant Master Plan
The Master Plan for the Morro Bay Power Plant property started in 2022 as a result of the General Plan/ Local Coastal Plan policy LU 5-4 which requires the development of a master plan as a result of the planning permit application received for the Battery Energy Storage System Project. The goal of the Master Plan is to establish a vision and plan for the growth and development of the Power Plant site and surrounding area. The first community workshop was held on September 14, 2022, to seek input and feedback.
Master Plan Community Survey Results
A community survey for the Power Plant Master Plan was open between January and February 2023. Results from that survey are provided below. The survey questions focused on seeking the community's land use preferences, circulation improvements, and design amenities for the overall 107-acre property.
Prior (2022) BESS meetings and notices:
Vistra representatives held a Community Meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way from 530pm -730pm. The purpose of the meeting was to share information and answer questions about the proposed Battery Energy Storage System project at 1290 Embarcadero. Note, this is not a City-sponsored event. To view the Vistra flyer announcing this meeting, please click here.
Master Plan Community Workshop - A community workshop was held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the Veteran's Memorial Building at 209 Surf Street from 6-830pm for the Morro Bay Power Plant Master Plan workshop. The workshop was an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to share input on the future of this property. More information including a brief agenda is available here. The presentation used at the workshop is here. Thank you to all who came to the workshop!
EIR Scoping Meetings: Two scoping meetings were held for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on June 21, 2022 and June 29, 2022. The Powerpoint presentation for the two EIR Scoping meetings is available here. The same presentation was given for both meetings. The purpose of the meetings was to allow for any interested persons to supply input on issues to be discussed in the EIR.
Notice of Preparation: The City has released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Project Environmental Impact Report. The NOP has been prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that the City as Lead Agency is preparing a Project EIR pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the proposed 600-megawatt (MW) Morro Bay Battery Energy Storage System Project. The NOP also includes the Project Description and date of the Scoping Meeting.
BESS Project Information: (Information presented on this page is part of the project application materials. The project is still under review and no action has been taken yet.)
- BESS Planning Application received 12-21-2020
- Application Overview Introduction
- Project Description (original)
- BESS Project Plans (original), received 2-17-2021
- City Council Presentation by Vistra, February 2021
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Technical Report, Ramboll US Consulting, July 2023
- Air Quality Technical Report, Ramboll US Consulting, July 2023
- Updated Visual Simulations of proposed BESS project without Power Plant building and stacks, received June 2023
- Video of Updated Visual Simulations of proposed BESS project received from Vistra June 2023
- Geologic and Soils Hazards Evaluation Report, Rincon, April 2023
- Hazardous Materials Technical Study, Rincon, April 2023
- Biological Resources Assessment Report, Padre, March 2023
- Traffic and Parking Study, Associated Transportation Engineers, January 2023
- BESS Project Historic Resources Evaluation, Rincon, December 2022
- BESS Project Paleontological Resources Evaluation, Rincon, December 2022
- DTSC Responsiveness Summary received 6-15-2022
- DTSC Responsiveness Summary cover letter received 6-15-2022
- Asbestos Supplemental Survey Report, 2014 received 6-2-2022
- Asbestos Removal survey, 2014 received 6-2-2022
- Pre-Demolition ACM Survey received 6-2-2022
- Vistra resubmittal comment letter 10-19-2021
- BESS Project Plans revised, resubmitted 10-15-2021
- Soil Management Plan, Terraphase Engineering, May 11, 2021
- DTSC Comment letter, Final Screening Level Risk Assessment Report for Groundwater, 8-25-2021
- Updated Biological Resources Assessment, Padre, dated August 2021
BESS Technical Studies (received 2021):
- Traffic Report, Assoc. Transportation Engineers (ATE)
- Air Quality GHG Energy Report, EMC Planning Group
- Visual Simulations, original version 4/2021
- Traffic Route Exhibit, ATE
- Revised Biological Resources report, Padre, updated August 2021
- Biological Resources Assessment, Padre
- Morro Shoulderband Snail Report, Padre
- Geo Hazards Report,
- Soil Management Plan, Terraphase Engineering
- DTSC Responsiveness Summary Areas of Concern Report
- Representative Safety Data Sheets
- Consistency Analysis
- Stormwater Management
- Acoustical Analysis, WJV Acoustics
Other Projects of Interest:
3300 Panorama - Vesting Tentative Tract No. 3190 (Subdivision project)
On November 7, 2023, the Planning Commission will do a conceptual review of the 3300 Panorama project, a proposed 48-lot planned unit development subdivision.
- Conceptual Review Plans, dated August 21, 2023
- Arborist Report, June 2023
- CDP-CUP Planning Application, received January 2022
- Project Plans, dated January 13, 2021
- Project Narrative
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map Application
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map
- Review Comment Letters
- Flyer - Neighborhood Meeting 04-20-22
- Removal Assessment and Request for Closure Report
- April 20, 2022 Neighborhood Meeting Comments and Workshop Results
If you would like to receive updates for the Panorama subdivision project, please click on the link: https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/list.aspx to sign up.
Coral Avenue Subdivision Project
- Final Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Final Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendices
- Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)
2460 Main - Proposed Supportive Housing Use
- Public Comments - 06-08-21 City Council Meeting
- Public Questions and Answers
- Plans
- Application (#MUP20-02)
- Project notice
- Supportive Care Facility Information Sheet
- Appeals Process Summary
- Additional Applicant Information Provided
- MUP20-02 Permit for Supportive housing
- March 8, 2021 responses to questions
- Project Correspondence
3300 Panorama - MAJ19-005 (Siding replacement/site assessment)
- City of Morro Bay MAJ19-005 permit (Issued 9/15/20)
- PC hearing 9/15/20 staff report with Exhibits
- Analytical Consulting Group - Site Assessment Workplan
- Analytical Consulting Group - Health and Safety Plan
- Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board 10/20/20 conditional approval of ACG Site Assessment Workplan
- City of Morro Bay Building Permit B19-0023 (Issued 11/17/20)
Tank Demolition - 3300 Panorama Drive #CP0-500 & UP0-440
- MIN19-001
- Private hydrant removal 1
- Private hydrant removal 2
- Private hydrant removal 3
- Private hydrant removal 4
- Non hazardous waste manifest
- Tree removal letter
- Owner letter
- Fire Department lock box
- Demolition notification letter
- Biologist Report for additional scope 2/2019
- Plan for additional scope of work 2/2019
- Biologist Report for post-demo biological survey results 4/2019
- Panorama Hose Shed Sampling Report 4/2019
Panorama Supporting Documentation for 06-19-18 Planning Commission Meeting
- Planning Commission Staff Report 06-19-18
- Exhibit A Reso 15-18 with Mitigation Program
- Exhibit B Demo Plan Full Set
- Exhibit C Final Draft MND - 3300 Panorama
- Exhibit D Response to Comments IS-MND
- Arborist review of completion of work after demolition
- Arborist - Mitigation and Options
- Soil manifests tickets
- SLO County Public Health Letter
- Public Review of Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) 02-28-18 through 03-30-18
- Appendices A through F including Project Plans, Biological Resources, Hazardous Materials, Air Quality, Noise,
and Transportation/Circulation Supporting Technical Information
Older Planning Commission Staff Reports for 3300 Panorama:
- 1-3-2017 Planning Commission staff report
- 12-6-2016 Planning Commission staff report
- 10-04-2016 Planning Commission Request For Continuance
- 9-6-2016 Planning Commission staff report and attachments
Previous Panorama Project Environmental Documents/ Supporting Information:
- Final Biological Report
- Aerial of Trees
- Historic Report DPR 523
- Historic Report Cover Letter
- Dust Mitigation
- Biological Monitoring Plan
- Biological Letter Report
- Environmental Evaluation
- Demolition Plan 10-16-16
- Demolition Work Plan 12-29-17
- Biological Assessment Letter
- Truck Traffic Impact Analysis
- Air Monitoring Plan
- Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan August 2016
- Soil Management Sampling Plan
Arborist Reports:
- Addendum to original arborist report May 18, 2016
- 8-14-17 Arborist Report_01
- 8-14-17 Arborist Report_02
Noise Study:
Plan Exhibits:
Public Comments Letters Received:
Public Agency Comments: