HomeMy WebLinkAbout20253437 Hearing Certification
Docket No. 2025-86
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
Use by Special Review Permit, USR25-0018, for uses similar to a Solar Energy
Facility (Battery Energy Storage System [BESS]), outside of subdivisions and
historic townsites in the A (Agricultural)Zone District-Colorado State Land Board,
c/o Weld Energy Center, LLC
A public hearing was conducted on December 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with the following
present:
Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair
Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro-Tern
Commissioner Jason S. Maxey
Commissioner Lynette Peppier
Commissioner Kevin D. Ross
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Jan Warwick
Deputy County Attorney, Karin McDougal
Department of Planning Services Representative, Diana Aungst
Development Review Representative, Aaron Maurice
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated November 13, 2025, and duly published
November 15, 2025, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted to consider
the request of Colorado State Land Board, c/o Weld Energy Center, LLC, for Use by
Special Review Permit, USR25-0018, for uses similar to a Solar Energy Facility (Battery
Energy Storage System [BESS]), outside of subdivisions and historic townsites in the
A (Agricultural) Zone District. Karin McDougal, Deputy County Attorney, made this a
matter of record.
Diana Aungst, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the
proposal, and described the sign posting and location of the site. She stated 14 referrals
were sent out, and five (5) agencies responded with no concerns or included conditions
that have been addressed in the Development Standards (DS) or Conditions of Approval
(COA). She shared this storage facility will connect with the Platte River Power Authority
Substation, which is currently under construction. Ms. Aungst explained the number of
employees and hours of operation during and after construction. She relayed there are •
current gas lines on the site, stated the nearest residence is 4/10 mile southwest of the
location, and described the proposed security lighting. She explained the facility is
unmanned, bottled water and portable toilets will be provided, and a Decommission Plan
has been submitted. She stated the site is located within the annexation area of the Town
cc:P L(oF/mo/DA/DA/KR) 2025-3437
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Hearing Certification (USR25-0018) — Colorado State Land Board, c/o
Weld Energy Center, LLC
Page 2
of Severance and is supported by the Comprehensive Plan related to responsible energy
development, land conservation, and mitigating impacts on the surrounding land uses.
She shared there is one (1) residence within 500 feet, and eight (8) surrounding property
owners (SPOs) were Noticed, but no communication was received back. She also
relayed 85 letters of support were received, most of whom live more than 500 feet from
the site. She further stated the site is located within the three (3) mile referral area of the
Town of Severance, who formally objected to the USR, but later withdrew their objection. •
Ms. Aungst stated the site is located on 35 acres of non-prime farmland, reviewed the
acceptance criteria, entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission
into the record, as written, and'displayed images of the site and surrounding views.
Aaron Maurice, Department of Planning Services, Development Review, stated the
proposed access is on County Road (CR) 25, which is an existing private section line
road. He shared traffic counts of 508 vehicles per day, with 38 percent being trucks, the
85th percentile speed is 54 mph, and there are no traffic counts available on CR 86. He
reviewed the construction traffic counts and haul route, shared a Preliminary Drainage
Report has been submitted, and a Final Drainage Report is required.
Mr. Goebel, applicant, narrated a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit E), explaining NextEra
Energy is the parent company, and gave a history of the company. He elaborated on the
business in the state of Colorado, reviewed the site layout and proposed project timeline.
Mr. Goebel shared the noise level is expected to be at 50 decibels and there is a berm in
place which helps with sound and visual screening. He explained the haul route, storage
container design including safety features, training of local fire departments, and re-
iterated the Platte River Power Authority is the customer for this site. In response to
Commissioner Maxey, Mr. Goebel confirmed the haul route for construction and day-to-
day operation. Commissioner Ross acknowledged the paved road to the landfill and
requested dust abatement be kept up on the dirt road portion of the route. Additionally, in
response to Commissioner Ross, Mr. Goebel elaborated on the training held with the local •
fire departments.
Rich Werner, Upstate Colorado Economic Development, shared his support for the
application, sharing the importance of the national philosophy of the company and what
is supported in the local region.
The Board reviewed the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, and no
changes were made.
In response to Chair Buck, Mr. Goebel indicated they have reviewed, and agreed to abide
by, the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as presented.
Commissioner Ross moved to approve the request of Colorado State Land Board,
c/o Weld Energy Center, LLC, for Use by Special Review Permit, USR25-0018, for uses
2025-3437 •
PL2987
Hearing Certification (USR25-0018) — Colorado State Land Board, c/o
Weld Energy Center, LLC
Page 3
similar to a Solar Energy Facility (Battery Energy Storage System [BESS]), outside of
subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based on the
recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards, as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner.Maxey and it carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, the
hearing was completed at 12:17 a.m. (Clerk's Note: Teams recording start timestamp
2:06:38)
The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above
and foregoing Hearing Certification, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following
vote on the 31st day of December, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye ,r!"" ..
Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Excused Date of Approval ik% > > '%)
Jason S. Maxey: Aye I 41
Lynette Peppler: Aye '� �'
Kevin D. Ross: Excused Date of Approval ' �ry
Attest: •., `,.,:,•O
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-3437
PL2987
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