Power Plant: Delay Requested on Planning Commission Decision

The Quail Brush Power Plant is scheduled to be discussed at the San Diego Planning Commission meeting on , specifically whether to rezone the area from open space to industrial use, so the plant can be located where it is planned, in the hills north of Santee. But, recent developments may lead to a longer wait for a decision that has already been delayed once.

, the company that has applied to build and operate the power plant, has notified the Planning Commission staff that it is requesting a 60-day extension on the decision, according to Quail Brush Genco Project Manager Lori Ziebart.

"We will have to go before the Planning Commission on April 26 to formally request the continuance," she said.

She said Cogentrix has also notified the Navajo Planning Group that it would like to make an informational presentation to them in June rather than in April.

"We plan to take this time to work on addressing the issues raised by the public and to provide more information in response to those concerns," said Zeibart.

The Planning Commission's decision to rezone is key to the ability for the power plant to be constructed on the proposed site. Without this zoning change, no power plant can be constructed there- a point pushed by opponents to the plant, including Stop the Santee Power Plant and the Santee City Council.

chimed in, saying the delay is a good sign and emphasizing that the opposition to the plant should keep pushing.

"A 60 day continuance is a minor victory for Santee, as it demonstrates that the so far has made an impact," wrote Voepel. "It will be very important to provide a in San Diego with our united Santee folks."

Vopel was writing in reply to City Manager Keith Till's email about the requested delay to the meeting. The people power he referred to includes , stacks of emails and letters in opposition and two on the streets of Santee.

"The postponement is to allow time for the company's technical staff to develop alternative power plant design options in response to the criticisms they have received," Till wrote in an email.

Zeibart clarified that Cogentrix is "exploring" alternative power plant design options in response to the "concerns" raised by the public."

Councilmember , who was assigned to and has delved deep into the issue, has his doubts about the requested delay for the Planning Commission's decision to rezone, emphasizing that Cogentrix has only informed the Commision of an intent to request a continuance, and must wait until the meeting to officially request it.

"As far as the meeting in April,  I think I would want to wait and see what is on the agenda and what the staff is preparing for the meeting," Dale said.

If the continuance is accepted, that would likely push the rezone meeting date to June 28.

The Planning Commission agenda for the April 26 meeting should clear some things up. Santee Patch will report more when the agenda is released.