Commission finds Ross Stores solar carports consistent with March Air land-use plan

The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission on a unanimous vote approved a finding of consistency for a Ross Stores Incorporated proposal to construct 12 solar carports totaling 103,319 square feet on an 80.32-acre site within the March Air Reserve Base airport influence area.

ALUC staff planner Jackie Vega told the commission the carports would not generate occupancy and “the project does not exceed the FAA threshold for height obstacle obstruction.” Vega said the applicant conducted a solar glare study that found “no glare would affect the air traffic control tower,” while also noting some green-level glare within Air Force traffic patterns. Vega added that the Air Force reviewed the study and “provided comments on 03/11/2026 concurring with the glare analysis report.”

Staff recommended conditioning the finding on measures to reduce glare and improve panel performance, including “either anti reflective coatings or textured glass,” citing an adopted resolution on panel orientation and materials. The staff report also referenced the March Air Reserve Base land use compatibility plan (2014) criteria for zones C1 and C2 and explained why the carports, which do not create new occupancy, meet the compatibility tests with the recommended conditions.

The chair opened the public hearing, invited comment and, with no public speakers requesting to testify on the record, closed the hearing and called for a motion. A motion to adopt staff’s recommendation passed unanimously, with all members present voting in the affirmative.

The approval is a consistency determination by the ALUC with conditions; staff noted that any additional FAA recommendations will be incorporated into the final consistency letter when received.