By Peter Day
Staff Writer
LUCERNE VALLEY — A team of county planning staff and consultants was prepared with charts, colored graphics and handouts, but a small yet mighty group of property owners was armed with facts, concerns and a lot to say.
Last Tuesday morning's two-hour San Bernardino County Partnership for Renewable Energy & Conservation (SPARC) Forum Phase 2 workshop meeting at the Lucerne Valley Community Center was an opportunity for the county to listen to residents' thoughts on how renewable energy is — and should be — managed. Attendees, many of whom have lived in the county-maintained town for decades, delivered.
"We want the county aggressively fighting against the forces that are against what we want," said Linda Gommel, owner of the Lucerne Valley Market and Hardware Store.
"We know the county has a lot of leverage, and it's the only leverage we have against the state," added fellow Market management member Bill Lembright.
The county SPARC team was led by Terri Rahal, a planning consultant for the county, and John Melville, co-CEO of the Bay Area-based consulting firm Collaborative Economics. With the help of SPARC, the county is drafting a Renewable Energy Element for the County General Plan.
Rahal and Melville were tasked with leading a discussion on the economic, social and environmental concerns regarding the county's renewable energy. Concerns were divided into "benefits," such as community empowerment and maintaining quality of life, versus "costs," such as poor project designs impacting scenic resources and reduction in property values.
During the first phase of the SPARC Forum, the county heard resident concerns that "you're not listening to us," Rahal said. Hosting group discussions as a followup "is the most efficient way for us to hear from everyone," she said.
Quickly, however, attendees made it clear that they haven't been happy with the county's approval of several utility-scale solar projects in town.
"We want to see neighborhood solar," said Neil Nadler, who owns a large parcel on the west side of Lucerne Valley. "We don't want to see stuff like (several solar projects) on Camp Rock Road."
Both parties agreed that there needs to be more discussion and agreement on terminology.
"Lucerne Valley might have a different definition of 'neighborhood,'" said Chuck Bell, president of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association. "These definitions we're talking about are very critical. These are the kind of things we need to work on."
Bell also repeatedly brought up a pet concern — the county's lack of a renewable energy zoning designation.
"If you put it (renewable energy) in the right spot you don't have to worry about it," Bell said.
At one point, Richard Selby, who chairs the county-appointed Lucerne Valley-Johnson Valley Municipal Advisory Council, interrupted a SPARC facilitator and asked for clarification on the county's central goal.
"Tell us where we're going in the end?" Selby asked.
Attendees complimented the Market's recent solar project, which put cells on top of the building and added panels on top of new carports. Rooftop solar is seen as a solution and much preferred to large, industrial solar projects that can adversely affect "viewsheds," natural water flow streams and wildlife.
Resident John Smith suggested the county's High Desert region, which is most affected by large renewable energy projects, is under-represented with only two county supervisors. He also suggested the county consider implementing restrictions on electrical billboard usage and power-hungry street lights.
Area resident Neville Slade, who is an instructor at Victor Valley College, alluded to the high emotions.
"We are a little jaded," said Slade, a co-founder of the Mojave Communities Conservation Collaborative. "It's been three years of fighting."
Despite occasional emotion flare-ups, event organizers applauded attendees for their spirited participation.
"You were very respectful today," Rahal said.
Lucerne Valley's SPARC Forum meeting was the first of several in the High Desert. Similar meetings were held in Barstow Senior, Joshua Tree and Hesperia.
Phase 1 of SPARC began in the winter of 2014.
For more information, visit SPARCForum.org or call 909-387-4738.