San Jose Planning Commission Meeting – January 14, 2026: Battery Storage Facility Approval
San Jose Planning Commission Meeting – January 14, 2026
The San Jose Planning Commission met on January 14, 2026, to consider a conditional use permit for a 100‑megawatt battery energy storage facility and to receive updates on city planning matters. The commission unanimously approved the permit after hearing from the applicant and the San Jose Fire Department, and also discussed upcoming policy items and a joint study session with the Housing Commission.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (December 10, 2025): The commission approved the consent calendar (excluding item 5B) by a 10‑0 vote (one absent). Item 5B (CP24‑15 / ER24‑139) was pulled for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public speakers appeared for the consent calendar or for the battery storage facility item. No public comment was offered during the non‑agendized public comment period.
Discussion Items
- Conditional Use Permit CP24‑15 / ER24‑139 – Battery Energy Storage Facility
- Location: 6150 San Ignacio Avenue, approximately 700 feet southeast of Great Oaks Boulevard, on a 5.5‑acre site currently used for vehicle storage.
- Proposal: Installation of a 100‑megawatt battery energy storage facility (battery modules, inverters, collector substation) with extended construction hours (Saturdays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). No demolition or tree removal.
- Staff Presentation (Cora McNaughton): The project is consistent with the Combined Industrial Commercial General Plan designation and IP (Industrial Park) zoning. Staff recommended approval, citing a CEQA exemption under Section 15183 (consistent with Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan EIR). No public questions had been received.
- Applicant Presentation (Max Christian, New Leaf Energy): Christian described the project’s role in grid stabilization (charging from surplus solar midday, discharging during peak evening hours). He contrasted the proposed system with the 2025 Moss Landing fire, emphasizing that modern systems use containerized modules (40 batteries per 20‑ft container), active cooling, remote monitoring, and chemical suppression. He stated that post‑2022 codes (NFPA 855) and new CPUC/CEC rules make a Moss Landing‑type event impossible at this facility.
- Fire Department Testimony (Deputy Fire Chief James Dobson): Dobson confirmed that San Jose requires large‑scale fire testing to ensure no unit‑to‑unit propagation. He stated that while a fire in a single unit cannot be ruled out, the design would contain any fire to the unit of origin. He noted that San Jose is a national leader in energy storage safety requirements.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Young asked about the applicant’s experience and safety record (no fires at their facilities). Commissioner Bickford inquired about existing battery plants in San Jose; Dobson noted that data centers use similar systems and that the city applies the same rigorous testing. Christian clarified that each container holds about 5 megawatts.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Approve: Commissioner Young moved to approve the conditional use permit; seconded by Commissioner Casey.
- Vote: 10‑0 (one absent). All commissioners voted yes.
- CEQA Exemption: The commission accepted the staff‑recommended CEQA exemption.
Reports and Referrals
- Good and Welfare (Planning Staff):
- Upcoming City Council items (January 27): Multifamily Housing Incentive Program, Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and SB 79 implementation options.
- Appeals: Tropicana CUP (denied Nov 19, 2025) tentatively scheduled for City Council February 10, 2026; PayPal Stadium concert expansion appeal also pending.
- Email access issues noted for Commissioners Cantrell and Bandal.
- Joint study session with Housing Commission planned for late February or early March 2026 to discuss the Housing Catalyst Work Plan.
- Follow‑up on Downtown West Development Agreement (John Tu, Division Manager):
- Staff confirmed that the $1 million community benefit fund for the Gardner Community Center was provided by Google (Downtown West) as required. The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) department recommended awarding a three‑year contract to Catholic Charities, which the City Council approved on December 16, 2025. Commissioner Cantrell asked about PRNS’s authority; staff noted that the City Council ultimately authorized the use of funds.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Before we begin, I want to remind the Planning Commission members and the members of the public to follow our code of conduct at meetings. This includes commenting on the specific agenda item only and addressing the full body. Public speakers will not engage in conversation with the commissioners or staff. All members of the Planning Commission, staff, and public are expected to refrain from abusive language. Repeated failure to comply with the code of conduct, which will disturb, disrupt, or impede the orderly conduct of this meeting, may result in removal from the meeting. This meeting of the Planning Commission will now come to order. Summary of Hearing Procedures. If you want to address the commission, please fill out a speaker card located on the table near the AV technician. There are also speaker cards in the back of the chambers and at the side entrance. The procedure of this meeting is as follows. After staff's presentation, applicants or appellants may make up to a five-minute presentation. During the public comment period, the chair will call out names on the submitted speaker cards in the order they will receive for those members of the public who attend in person. As your name is called, line up in front of the microphone at the front of the chamber. Generally, each speaker will be given up to two minutes for public testimony, and speakers using a translator will have up to four minutes. At the discretion of the chair, the time allotted for each speaker may be changed depending on the number of items on the agenda, number of speakers, and other factors. Speakers using a translator will have double the time allotted. After public testimony, the applicant or appellant may make closing remarks for up to an additional five minutes. Planning commissioners may ask questions of the speakers. Response to commissioner questions will not reduce the speaker's time allowance. The public hearing will then be closed and the Planning Commission will take action on the item. The Planning Commission may request staff to respond to public testimony, ask staff questions, and discuss the item. If you challenge these land use decisions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at this public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City at or prior to the public hearing. The Planning Commission's action on rezonings, prezonings, general plan amendments, and code amendments is only advisory to the City Council. The City Council will hold public hearings on these items. Section 20.120.400 of the Municipal Code provides the procedures for legal protests to the City Council on rezonings and prezonings. The Planning Commission's action on conditional use permits is appealable to the City Council in accordance with Section 20.100.220 of the Municipal Code. Agendas and staff reports for this meeting may be accessed on the City website. Moving on to public comment. This is the time for public comment to the Planning Commission on non-agendized items. Please fill out a speaker's card and give it to the technician. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to two minutes. The Commission cannot take any formal action without the item being properly noticed and placed on an agenda. In response to public comment, the Planning Commission is limited to the following options. Responding to statements made or questions posed by members of the public. staff to report back on a matter at a subsequent meeting or directing staff to place the item on a future agenda. Staff, do we have any speakers for public comment on items tonight that are not on the agenda? No speakers, Chair.
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