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Home My WebLink About20241580.tiffINVENTORY OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Applicant: Workman's Livestock, LLC, c/o Alisha L. Acosta Case Number: USR24-0004 Submitted or Prepared Prior to Hearing At Hearing 1 Applicant letter concerning contact with Mr. Cruz dated June 3, 2024 X 2 Photo from Ms. Kandace Diekman submitted June 4, 2024 X 3 Revised USR map submitted by the applicant X 4 Presentation by the applicant X I hereby certify that the four items identified herein were submitted to the Department of Planning Services at or prior to the scheduled Planning Commissioners' hearing. Diana Aungst, Planner Pivot Energy Michael and Kandace Cruz Outreach: EXHIBIT November 2023: • All direct abutters to the project (including the Cruz's) were sent a USPS priority mail envelope containing: g • A letter personally introducing the developer assigned to the project, Pivot Energy as a company, and Pivot's Solar Projects a Contact information for the developer Solar Project frequently asked questions ■ A postcard inviting them to the community meeting in Kersey on 12/07/23 12/5/23: Michael left a Grasshopper voicemail for a Pivot employee December 2024: Pivot attempted to call the Cruz's multiple times and finally connected at the end of December when Michael voiced his concerns. 1/8/24: Pivot called to check in on Michael. 1/16/24: Cait O'Mara and Kyle Sundman spoke with the Cruz's and offered to go to their property to discuss in person. 4/12/24: Pivot traveled to the Cruz's property to discuss concerns in person. April 2024: Pivot commits to redesigning the project to address the Cruz's concerns regarding the proximity of the project to their property. May 2024: Pivot's internal engineers worked to fundamentally re -design the site plan to adhere to the Cruz's request. The current site plan is the one that has been presented to the County during the June permit hearings. 6/3/24: Pivot sent the site plan re -design to the Cruz's for review, intik Old Version: pre -community engagement S MKS �a9.r�at�+l44—S. ss.s at asses s . -. nab a.y a•• - saga +4. ri- 1 i ! s a a ass Tel rsi^i M t*s• f2 New Version: post -community engagement • 4 VMS $$.i _ rw • t+Mi�lM R ' ix K AI fek ',Woofs pivotenergy.net EXHIBIT � 4 ice — Pivot 1 � Energy U SR24-0004 PIVOT SOLAR 50 LLC PIVOT SOLAR 51 LLC WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 4, 2024 Clean Energy. Clear Choice. PR J ` - SPECIPICS: PIVOT SOLAR 50 LLC PVOTSOLARSI LLC It, Pivot Energy SITE DETAILS: PIVOT SOLAR 50/51 LLC • • • Co -located projects -8MWac Land lease with Workman's Livestock, LLC Located on the corner of the intersection at CO 45 and CO 52 $2.6M in property tax revenue over 40 years CRETE TRASH TRENCHES rile*" FOURS :5' SETBACK) IPMENT PADS INVERTERS PRODUCTION METER DISCONNECT SWITCHGEAR HER STATION JNDING XFMR OMER OWNED lOOKVA EACH) 201 MN. MOD I TO FENCE D 22.Sr MOD FITCII O > tip lit MV RUN FROM I -0 RISER -160' PENCE TO BE REMOVED EXISTING WATER LINE a t ELECTRIC LINE S a -- 1 1 30' PIPELINE ROW • V PIVOT SOLAR 5 : 3.875M'NAc SOLAR PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT - =r-. L L _ _ 30OC - — - - SITE ACCESS OFF W CO RD 52 (2h./7, UNESCORTED, KEYLESS ACCESS. MINIMUM 16' WIDE, TO' BE IMPROVED AS NECESSARY) POI: EXISTING 3P XCEL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION o- SI r "%., `_— EXISTING 30' GAS LIP EXISTING 20' GAS peitt 1 0 EXISTING 30' G. • EXISTING PROPOSED GAS TEMPORARY - EASEMENT F GAS LINE - EXISTING WATT LINE TO BE RE CATTLE PROJECT FENC LINK OR GAME 16' SITE ACCESS GATE POLE MOUNTED EGJIPMENT • CUSTOMER POLE #2: RISER W! C • CUSTOMER POLE #L- 3P UTILITY • UTILITY POLE #2: UTILITY PRIM/ • UTILITY POLE #I: UTILITY RECL( or -S 1 ' 60' CR 52 ROW F el Pivot Energy SITE PLAN COMPARISIONS Site plan before and after meeting with neighbor in person: 1 '!t l I •IY--�F—�O--a— is PIVOT SOLAR 51.. 3.96MW'At SOLAR PROJECT IN' DEVELOPMENT R —a Old Version: pre -community engagement 4 I POLE MO' • CUSTOry • GUST CW • UTILITY • UTILITY I I ASH TRENCHES i H) MOD, 9 CE 1 MOD PITCH • I _ 1 I 60' 6 BE ED I o a a a a PIVOT SOLAR 51: 3.875MWAC SOLAR PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT T -r. ' r rr ... 16' SITE AO POLE MOUNTE • CUSTOMER F • CUSTOMER F • UTILITY POL • UTILITY POL New Version: post -community engagement n Pivot Energy NEIGHBOR OUTREACH Steps Taken: All direct abutters to the project were sent a USPS priority mail envelope containing: A letter personally introducing the developer assigned to the project, Pivot Energy as a company, and Pivot's Solar Projects Contact information for the developer Solar Project frequently asked questions A postcard inviting them to the community meeting in Kersey on 12/07/23 Outcome • The community meeting had no attendees • One comment received from a neighbor • Pivot fundamentally changed layout in response Buffer report, direct neighbor outreach (500') 0 Pivot Energy AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION: PIVOT SOLAR 50/51 LLC • • A portion of the parcel will be reserved for continued agricultural use Depending on site characteristics, tenant farmer availability, and water availability, Pivot will evaluate whether the secondary agricultural use will take the form of sheep grazing or crop production underneath the panels, with a strong preference towards the latter Landowner is choosing to pair solar and agriculture in order to diversify, stabilize, and increase the economic return Upon decommissioning, the land will be returned to original condition for continued agricultural production kin Pivot Energy :-"fe LANDOWNER TESTIMONY: ALISHA WORKMAN • Brief parcel history • Why we chose solar • Economic security "AI,Pivot Energy CONCLUSION ■ ■ Investing in Weld County ■ ■ • Locally produced, low cost energy to stay in Weld County Over $500,000 pledged and donated to Bright Futures and other organizations Increased property tax revenue for the operational life of the system ($1.3M/2.6M over 20/40 years) Support the County's goal for economic development, agricultural preservation, and energy diversification Minimal impact or disturbance to surrounding properties relative to other development 0 p tions Above and beyond outreach to neighbors Preserving agricultural lands — irrigation, innovative dual use practices, etc. ��;`� Pivot Energy n• s Kyle Sundman ksu nd manpivotenerqy. net 719-233-4322 tis in pivotenergy. net Pivot Energy a 2 Agrivoltaics affirpialawaSIMI Turfgrass max in1urn rant depth 3-6 inches N ative Grasses & Forbs Common root depth 4-6 feet Water and Soil Conservation Pollinators and Habitats Our methods of holistic land management enrich the soil beneath our panels, provides farmers and ranchers with new sources of income, creates pollinator habitat, increases biodiversity • Temporary use with conservation qualities • Groundcover and buffer species to be selected for native and pollinating traits • Soil rests for the site's useful life, similar to USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)* • Allows productive use of land while avoiding more intensive development in the area =i44- n Pivot Energy https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/ 11 • • • • • S ubsurface drip irrigation is a low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip tubes or drip tape to meet crop water needs. S ubsurface irrigation saves water and improves yields by eliminating surface water evaporation and reducing the incidence of weeds and disease. 50-60% less water than flood irrigation, 30- 40% less than sprinkler Increase in yields reported Irrigate under solar panels as well as in buffer areas - hay or forage grass under panels In discussion with High Plains Irrigation (based in Ault, CO) and SEIP (CSU lead research on site near Kersey) 451Eari SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY PROJECT h:sfe kin Pivot Energy 12 3 Engaging in discussions for a partnership with a student at the Colorado School of Mines a How can we integrate food crops with PV installations? • 3 sites used to evaluate feasibility of growing food crops beneath solar arrays with little to no change in typical PV design P roposed measurements include: • Carbon sequestration of crops vs. typical seed mixes • Soil water retention to quantify irrigation needs with vs. without array P otential CSU Soils laboratory and Alan Knapp's laboratory partnership • Working to narrow down sites for use to study soils and different grazing approaches n Pivot Energy 13 ForgeSolar is an industry -leading tool to evaluate glare impacts to the adjacent roads, homes, businesses The project will generate a non -material amount of hazardous glare for those who can see or pass the array Glare from solar panels will be comparable or less to that of snow, water, or steel All panels are coated in an anti - reflective coating to decrease glare raft\ ■� ForgeSolar Site Configuration I Components & Results PS50151 No backtracking Created Jun 03, 2024 Updated Jun 03, 2024 Time -step 1 minute Timezone offset IJTC-6 Minimum sun altitude 0.0 deg Site ID 120810.1 9878 Project type Advan4 d Project status: active C. Category 5 MW to 10 MW CONTACT I ACCOUNT I LOG OUT PRICING TOOLS & SERVICES . PROJECTS HELP Home Projects PS50/51 Site configurations No backtracking Reports • OH Open in editor More - e 4Y11JQCr_4' =24 i nU'n. &Lazar v:1;1 Glary Analysis Summary PV fray Results Summary of Results No glare predicted! PV Name PV array 1 Tilt deg SA tracking Orientation deg SA tracking °Green" Glare min 0 "Yellow" Glare min 0 Energy Produced kWh �� Pivot Energy 14 Equipment that makes noise (inverters) are located hundreds of feet from the nearest residence, placed in the center of the array The decibel rating is equivalent to a residential air conditioning unit None of the equipment operates early in the morning or late at night The equipment is "off" when the sun is not out • The Cohn-Reznick property value study shows no impacts to property values adjacent to solar facilities in the Midwest or Colorado. Sites are similar to this one in New Mexico. While no two sites are identical, the similarities far outweigh the differences in this case. We have also reviewed published methodology for measuring impact on property values as well as published studies that specifically analyzed the impact of solar farms on nearby property values. We have also interviewed market participants, including County and Township Assessors, to give us additional insight as to how the market evaluates farm land and single family homes with views of the solar farm. These studies found little to no measurable and consistent difference in value between the Test Area Sales and the Control Area Sales attributed to the proximity to solar farms and are generally considered a compatible use. Considering all of this information, we can conclude that since the Adjoining Property Sales (Test Area Sales) for the existing solar farms analyzed were not adversely affected by their proximity to solar farms, that properties surrounding other solar farms c�tinq in compliance with all regulatory standards will similarly not be pidversely _ affected, in either the short , or long term periods. eati,Pivot Energy 16 7 PS50/51 3—Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: 3627 Elevation: 4,000 to 7,200 feet Mean annual precipitation: 12 to 18 inches Mean annual air temperature: 45 to 55 degrees F Frost -free period: 80 to 155 days Farmland classification: Prime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing season 21 Dacono clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: 361y Elevation: 4,550 to 4,970 feet Mean annual precipitation: 14 to 18 inches Mean annual air temperature: 48 to 52 degrees F Frost -free period: 140 to 160 days Farmland classification: Prime farmland if irrigated elk Pivot Energy • • • • Solar panels are made of 99%+ inert materials (glass, aluminum, copper) No hazardous materials are used Pivot closely monitors and will replace damaged equipment to ensure projects operate at peak efficiency Once the project is decommissioned, panels will either be donated or recycled Image: solarbuildermag.com eti,Pivot Energy 18 9 Millions of people live near solar arrays or have solar panels on their rooftops. There is no credible evidence that solar equipment has negative impacts on human health isNCCLEAN ENERGY Gp�?• TECHNOLOGY CENTER NC STATE UNIVERSITY Health and Safety Impacts of Solar Photovoltaics The increasing presence of utility -scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (sometimes referred to as solar farms) is a rather new development in North Caroline's landscape. Due to the new and unknown nature of this technology, it is natural for communities near such developments to be concerned about health and safety impacts. Unfortunately, the quick emergence of utility -scale solar has cultivated fertile grounds for myths and half-truths about the health impacts of this technology, which can lead to unnecessary fear and conflict. Photovoltaic (PV) technologies and solar inverters are not known to pose any significant health dangers to their neighbors. The most important dangers posed are increased highway traffic during the relative short construction period and dangers posed to trespassers of contact with high voltage equipment. This latter risk is mitigated by signage and the security measures that industry uses to deter trespassing. el Pivot Energy 19 Grain of truth • Solar panels contain heavy metals, just like all electronics. • Some technologies (not all) contain cadmium, a metal that can be hazardous in large quantities if not disposed of properly. The real story There is no liquid inside a solar panel. • Solar panels are designed to be outside in the elements. • Even if the tempered glass is broken, another layer protects the cells. • Asset owners are incentivized to clean up damaged equipment. • Owners are also required to perform preventative maintenance. • Studies show no evidence solar causes cancer or other diseases. (https://www.cancer.net/blog/2022-01 /can -having -solar -panels -or - living -near -solar -farm -increase -your -cancer -risk) "AI,Pivot Energy 20 What, if any, health risks do the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) from solar panels and other components of solar PV arrays pose? Like all common electronics — from the wiring in a typical home to a vacuum cleaner — solar PV generates EMF Average exposure to EMF is typically ~1 mG. The lowest amount to have had any (controversial) association with health issues is ~3 mG over a long term Study of 3 commercial solar facilities in MA concluded low EMF strength at the fence line of <0.5 mG EMF strength of inverters at 150 ft is <0.5 mG. Nation Gary Harlan Living Trust =`2,11 n Pivot Energy 12 Most components of a solar module can recycled, including: • Aluminum Frames • Copper Wires • Junction Box, Containing Metals oe The remaining materials are called the "laminate" and they contain: • Tempered Glass • Sillicon Cells Connected with Precious Metals • Encapsulant • Backsheet Image Credit: Clean Energy Reviews AL Frame Tempered Glass Encapsulant-EVA Solar Ce Enca S asulant-EVA Backsheet Junction Box teN ciefr Pivot Energy 22 13 • • Solar facilities do not contain significant flammable materials, unlike oil & gas infrastructure Flammable materials in solar panels are limited and cannot self -sustain a fire Pivot monitors solar facilities and would be alerted of any abnormality ell Pivot Energy 23 14 Depending on the condition of the solar panels, Pivot Energy follows this decision tree to determine the best path after removal from site: 1. If no broken glass and panels pass field testing: Donation to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Equitable Solar Solutions, etc. 2. If no broken glass but panels fail field testing: Refurbishment and re -sale on the secondary solar market via Ontility or EnergyBin 3. If broken glass: Recycling of the panels is coordinated by Pivot's O&M team using SolarRecycle.org to determine the nearest recycling facility Homeowner Rosalba Medina stands in front of her soon -to -be finished Habitat for Humanity home in September 2022. The home has a 5.8 -kilowatt solar array that was donated by Pivot Energy and installed by Equitable Solar Solutions and Nunatak Alternative Energy. n Pivot Energy The project isn't large enough to alter wildlife migration patterns. There are ample routes for animals to move around and through the site as needed We use a game fence when allowed to maximize our ability to keep larger animals out and allow smaller animals to come and go n Pivot Energy 25 Hello