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Home My WebLink About20252293.tiffHearing Certification Docket No. 2025-47 Board of County Commissioners Weld County, Colorado Major Amended Use by Special Review Permit, 1 MJUSR25-08-1647, for a 1041 Major Facility of a Public Utility (Fort Saint Vrain Generating Facility and natural gas pipelines) to add two (2) natural gas fired combustion turbines (CT) and associated facilities in the 1-3 (Heavy Industrial) and A (Agricultural) Zone Districts Public Service Company of Colorado A public hearing was conducted on August 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present: Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro-Tem Commissioner Jason S. Maxey Commissioner Lynette Peppler 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, Mike McRoberts The following business was transacted: I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated July 16, 2025, and duly published July 18, 2025, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted to consider the request of Public Service Company of Colorado, for Major Amended Use by Special Review Permit, 1 MJUSR25-08-1647, for a 1041 Major Facility of a Public Utility (Fort Saint Vrain Generating Facility and natural gas pipelines) to add two (2) natural gas fired combustion turbines (CT) and associated facilities in the 1-3 (Heavy Industrial) and A (Agricultural) Zone Districts. 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 the site location being north of and adjacent to County Road (CR) 34 and east and west of CR 19.5. She stated 25 referrals were sent out, 11 were returned with no concerns or included comments which were addressed in the Conditions of Approval (COA) and Development Standards (DS), and three (3) with concerns regarding a Road Maintenance Agreement, requirement of an APEN Permit, and a Stormwater Management Plan and a Water Transfer Agreement be completed. She described the expansion requested, shared construction times, and stated construction is planned to be completed in about two (2) years. She provided a history of the current plant and described the USRs in the surrounding area. Ms. Aungst stated the Cc : pL(Dt/Mw/DA/DA/k'R) 2025-2293 09/0S/2-5 PL1942 Hearing Certification (1MJUSR25-08-1647) — Public Service Company of Colorado Page 2 site is located within the three (3) mile referral area of the Towns of Firestone, Johnstown, and Mead, and the Towns of Firestone, Johnstown, Mead and Platteville were sent a Notice of Inquiry (NOI); however, no interest in annexation was received. She reviewed the water and sewer provisions, and shared 12 surrounding property owners (SPOs) were notified, along with six (6) mineral owners, but no correspondence was received back. She reviewed Code Section 21-3-340.A.1 through A.22, and 1041 criteria, and shared the Colorado Parks and Wildlife provided comments on the protection of raptors and other wildlife in the area. She explained the Central Weld Water District provides water to the site and a Water Agreement has been signed. Ms. Aungst entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record, as written, and displayed images of the site and surrounding views. Mike McRoberts, Department of Planning Services, Development Review, stated access is on CR 19.5, which is a paved collector road, with daily traffic counts averaging 912 vehicles per day, with 20% trucks, and the 85th percentile speed is 63 mph. He further stated it is anticipated approximately ten (10) semi -trucks and four (4) concrete trucks will be utilized for peak concrete construction and an average of one (1) construction delivery per day is expected. He stated a Road Maintenance Agreement is required, for construction, to include damage repair to specified haul routes, a Final Drainage Report has been accepted, and a Weld County Grading Permit will be required. In response to Commissioner Maxey, Mr. McRoberts stated he would have to research whether the site is subject to a current Road Maintenance Agreement. Commissioner Maxey suggested, in regard to DS #29, inserting the words "for Construction" for the Road Maintenance Agreement. Hans Rodvik, Xcel Energy, the applicant, responded to Chair Buck and indicated they had not had contact with any of the Commissioners regarding this case, and expressed his thanks to the Planning Services staff. He stated the project will help with the increase in demand across the nation, specifically for this area, sharing the facility will produce 365 megawatts of new power to the system. He described the construction plan, and narrated a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit D), sharing the construction is estimated to take two (2) years to complete, hopefully in October 2027. Lisa Foster, Xcel Energy, described details of the project, stating the asphalt roadway will be developed to provide access to the new units. She shared a stormwater infiltration system for drainage will be installed, described expansion of site, and explained the access will be utilized for a temporary haul route and will remain post construction. Ms. Foster depicted the temporary improvements, which will be removed post construction, relaying two temporary parking areas will be constructed for construction staff. She explained the temporary stockpile area will be managed with best management practices, with excavated soils, which will be stored and managed during the construction phase and explained the temporary areas which will also be utilized for construction. She detailed the construction work times, stating completion is set for January 2027, and if additional hours for shift work are anticipated, a 24 -hour work permit will be obtained. She 2025-2293 PL1942 Hearing Certification (1 MJUSR25-08-1647) — Public Service Company of Colorado Page 3 described the gas -fired combustion turbines, with a stack height of 100 feet, and explained the operation of the new CT Units, which will encompass 2.8 acres. Ms. Foster explained the 22 approval criteria were met and requested a revision of COA #1.B.4, removing the screening plan language to state: "The applicant shall show and label the existing landscaping and screening on the site." She explained, on DS #40, a 48 -hour advance notice of admittance of necessary personnel shall be granted access at any reasonable time, and shared the Road Maintenance Agreement has been submitted for approval, and the USR map has been updated and approved. In response to Commissioner Maxey regarding DS #40, Deputy County Attorney McDougal confirmed this change is acceptable. Chair Buck requested confirmation from staff of the requested changes. Ms. Aungst re -reviewed, by depiction, the requested changes, and the Board agreed upon those requests: Edwin Grant, Greeley resident, shared historical information on the St. Vrain facility. In response to Chair Buck, Ms. Foster indicated they have reviewed, and agreed to abide by, the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. The Board reviewed the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards and agreed to all of the aforementioned changes. Commissioner Ross expressed his thanks to Xcel Energy for bringing consistent, reliable, power to the region through the gas turbines. Commissioner Ross moved to approve the request of the Public Service Company of Colorado for Major Amended Use by Special Review Permit, 1MJUSR25-08-1647, for a 1041 Major Facility of a Public Utility (Fort Saint Vrain Generating Facility and natural gas pipelines) to add two (2) natural gas fired combustion turbines (CT) and associated facilities in the 1-3 (Heavy Industrial) and A (Agricultural) Zone Districts, based on the recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peppler. Commissioner Maxey stated he believes this to be a great addition to current land usage in the county, which is rapidly growing, and he is encouraged to see an additional use for home grown, natural gas, helping residents with additional power generation. Commissioner James agreed, sharing he has seen the demand surveys and shared he is happy to see Xcel bring a reliable power. Commissioner Peppler shared this is a productive site. Chair Buck called for a vote, and it carried unanimously. The hearing was completed at 10:56 a.m. (Clerk's Note: Teams recording start timestamp 18:03) 2025-2293 PL1942 Hearing Certification (1MJUSR25-08-1647) — Public Service Company of Colorado Page 4 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 3rd day of September, A.D., 2025: Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye Jason S. Maxey: Aye Lynette Peppier: Aye Kevin D. Ross: Aye Attest: Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board 2025-2293 PL1942 ATTENDANCE LIST $/-16/2, " i ,+''• �a # .mss: ry f� § s" e <' t` �. ,. ' abt t ♦ z.z *, i"' •.,y.�g�p ',�. 4' z F .� ,Fi 'T 4SE F'er s i� . ',w Qi: U �' 6„4 5 . . 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