CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Title 12 Zoning Text Amendment - Z2025-0002
April 15, 2025
Moss Landing Fire
Proposed Ordinance
Definition of BESS
Appropriate Zone
City-Specific Elements
for BESS Application
Definition
Appropriate Zone: M-2 (General Manufacturing)
Battery Energy Storage Systems Standards
1) Emergency Response and Emergency Action Plan
a. Consider responses to potential offsite impacts, including, but not limited to, poor air quality, threats to municipal water supplies, water runoff, and threats to natural waterways; and
b. Include procedures for the local emergency response agency to establish shelter-in-place orders and road closure notifications when appropriate.
2) Distance from ‘Sensitive” Uses - BESS facilities shall not be located within 1,320 feet (1/4 mile) of a residential district and/or mixed-use residential district, or school, or hospital.
3) Public Notice – Public Hearing Notices will be sent to owners of property within 1,760 feet (1/3 mile) of the proposed BESS facility
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission recommended the City Council adopt the Text Amendment Ordinance with the following modifications to the proposed amendment:
• BESS facilities should also be distanced away from any land used and/or zoned for agricultural cultivation whether within or outside of the City or in active production or fallow;
• All properties within two miles of the proposed BESS facility property shall receive notice regarding the BESS project;
• Noticing of BESS facility projects shall be provided to both property owners and tenants.
Buffer from Residential Districts (Original Proposal)
Buffer from Residential Districts
Black Road Potential Sites