HomeMy WebLinkAbout20251774.tiffBefore the Weld County, Colorado, Planning Commission
Resolution of Recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners
Moved by Michael Biwer, that the following resolution be introduced for passage by the Weld County
Planning Commission. Be it resolved by the Weld County Planning Commission that the application for:
Case Number:
Applicant
Planner:
Request:
Legal Description
Location
U SR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Matthew VanEyll
U se by Special Review Permit for a Solar Energy Facility (SEF), outside of
subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
N 1/2 NW1 /4 of Section 19, Township 7 North, Range 64 West of the 6th P.M.,
Weld County, Colorado.
East of and adjacent to County Road 49; south of and adjacent to County Road 80
section line.
be recommended favorably to the Board of County Commissioners for the following reasons:
1. The submitted materials are compliant with the application requirements of Section 23-2-260 of the
Weld Co.anty Code.
2. It is the opinion of the Planning Commission that the applicant has shown compliance with Section 23-
2-220 of the Weld County Code as follows:
A. Section 23-2-220.A.1. -- The proposed use is consistent with Chapter 22 [Weld County
Comprehensive Plan] and any other applicable code provisions or ordinance in effect.
Section 22-2-10.C of the Weld County Code states: "Promoting Economic Growth and Stability.
Land use policies have a significant impact economic conditions in the County and should be
structured to encourage economic prosperity. To ensure the continued strength of Weld County's
economy, land use processes and decisions based on the [Comprehensive Plan] shall be
consistent and promote financially responsible growth."
This is a proposed three (3) megawatt Solar Energy Facility (SEF) that will encompass
approximately thirty (30) acres of a seventy-three (73) acre site. This SEF will initially provide
construction jobs and future energy production to Weld County. These functions directly support
economic prosperity. This Solar Energy Facility, being a power -generating facility, will add variety,
stability, and redundancy to the existing electrical grid. Traditional energy resources are tied to
commodity markets and can vary in demand and output. This facility can complement and support
the economy during times of fluctuating oil and gas activity.
Section 22-2-30.C. - Harmonize development with surrounding land uses.
The adjacent land will experience minimal nuisance from the SEF, which is an unmanned energy
development facility. There are no residences within five hundred (500) feet of the disturbed area.
The closest neighboring residence is located approximately one thousand one hundred seventy
(1,170) feet from the solar energy facility. On the southwestern side of this property and across
County Road 49 on the northwestern side of this property are oil and gas facilities.
B. Section 23-2-220.A.2. -- The proposed use is consistent with the intent of the A (Agricultural) Zone
District.
Section 23-3-10. — Intent, of the Weld County Code states, "Agriculture in the County is considered
a valuable resource which must be protected from adverse impacts resulting from uncontrolled and
undirected business, industrial and residential land uses. The A (Agricultural) Zone District is
established to maintain and promote agriculture as an essential feature of the County. The A
(Agricultural) Zone District is intended to provide areas for the conduct of agricultural activities and
activities related to agriculture and agricultural production, and for areas for natural resource
extraction and energy development, without the interference of other, incompatible land uses."
Section 23-3-40.FF. — Uses by special review, of the Weld County Code includes, "Solar Energy
Facilities (SEFs). being more than five (5) acres in size but less than one -hundred sixty (160) acres
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 2
to the Near/Urban Area as shown on Appendix 21-B, or being more than five (5) acres but less than
three -hundred twenty (320) acres in the Ag/Rural Area as shown on Appendix 21-B "
This code section allows the applicant to apply for the subject Solar Energy Facility, being located
in the Ag/Rural Area as shown by map in Appendix 21-B Per Section 23-1-90 of the Weld County
Code the SEF will encumber approximately thirty (30) acres and qualifies as a SEF USR
This SEF may also include two (2) 40 -foot Conex (cargo) containers per parcel during
construction Cargo containers are allowed as an Accessory Use, per Section 23-3-30 B of the
Weld County Code
C Section 23-2-220 A 3 -- The uses which will be permitted will be compatible with the existing
surrounding land uses
The surrounding properties are zoned A (Agricultural) The land uses include residences,
agricultural uses, a Special Use Permit for Recreational Facility, and vacant land There are no
residences within 500 feet of the project
There are four (4) Use by Special Reviews (USRs) within one (1) mile of the site To the east of the
subject property there are three (3) USRs one (1) for as Recreational Facility (SUP-215AM), a Hog
Farm (SUP -297), and an Ag Service Establishment (USR-1512) To the west of the subject property
is a Non 1041 Major Facility Pipeline (USR18-0077) for a thirty-six (36) inch natural gas pipeline
Weld County Department of Planning Services staff sent notice to four (4) surrounding property
owners within 500 feet of the proposed USR boundary No wntten or telephone correspondence in
opposition or support of the project were received
The proposed use is in an area that can support this development and the Development Standards,
and the Conditions of,Approval will assist in mitigating the impacts of the facility on the adjacent
properties and ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and the region
D Section 23-2-220 A 4 -- That the uses which would be permitted will be compatible with future
development of the surrounding area as permitted by the existing zoning and with the future
development as projected by Chapter 22 of this Code or master plans of affected municipalities
The site is not located within a three (3) mile referral area or within an Intergovernmental Agreement
area of any municipality or county
E Section 23-2-220 A 5 -- That the application complies with Articles V and XI of this Chapter if the
proposal is located within an overlay zoning district or a special flood hazard area identified by
maps officially adopted by the county
The property is not located in any overlay district officially adopted by the County, including the A-
P (Airport) Overlay Distnct, I-25 Overlay District, Geologic Hazard Overlay District, Special Flood
Hazard Area, or MS4 - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System area
Building Permits issued on the lot will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the County -Wide
Road Impact Fee Program, County Facility Fee, and Drainage Impact Fee Programs
F Section 23-2-220 A 6 -- The applicant has demonstrated a diligent effort to conserve prime
agncultural land in the locational decision for the proposed use
The proposed facility is located on approximately thirty (30) acres of the approximately seventy-
three (73) acres The facility will be located on soils designated as "Farmland of Statewide
Importance", Olney fine sandy loam low -moderate slopes (0-6%), per the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service The proposed use is temporary, and soils will not be unduly removed from
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC `
Page 3
the property After the lease period, the land can be returned to historic uses Currently, the land is
occasionally used for grazing and is not irrigated
G Section 23-2-220 A 7 -- There is adequate provisions for the,protection of the health, safety, and
welfare of the inhabitants of the neighborhood and County
The Design Standards (Section 23-2-240, Weld County Code), Operation Standards (Section 23-
2-250, Weld County Code), Conditions of Approval and Development Standards can ensure that
there are adequate provisions for the protection of health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of
the neighborhood and County
This proposal has been reviewed by the appropriate referral agencies and -it has been determined
that the attached conditions of approval and development standards ensure that there are adequate
provisions for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the neighborhood
and county and will address and mitigate impacts on the surrounding area with the operation of this
facility
This recommendation is based, in part, upon a, review of the application' matenals submitted by the
applicant, other relevant information regarding the request, and responses from referral entities
The Planning Commission Recommendation for Approval is conditional upon the following
Prior to recording the map
A A Road Maintenance Agreement for Construction is required at this location Road
—maintenance includes, but is not limited to, dust control and,damage repair to specified haul
routes during construction (Development Review)_ Y
B The applicant shall acknowledge the comments of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as stated in
the referral response received May 6, 2025 Evidence of such shall be submitted in wnting to
the Weld County Department of Planning Services (Department of Planning Services)
C The applicant shall address the comments of Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Development,
as stated in the referral response dated May 13, 2025 Evidence of such shall be submitted in
writing to the Weld County Department of Planning Services (Oil and Gas Energy
Development)
D The map shall be amended to delineate the following
1) All sheets of the map shall be labeled USR25-0005 (Department of Planning Services)
2) The attached Development Standards (Department of Planning Services)
3) The map shall be prepared per Section 23-2-260 D and Section 23-4-1030 of the Weld
County Code (Department of Planning Services) -
4) Show and label the required setbacks, in accordance with Section 23-4-1030 C 3 of the
Weld County Code (Department of Planning Services)
5) Show and label any existing and proposed solar facility installations and electrical
equipment, power lines, structures, temporary work traders, storage containers (limited to
two (2) per Section 23-3-30 B of the Weld County Code), storage areas and miscellaneous
improvements, as- applicable Clearly indicate which equipment and structures are
temporary for use dunng construction and which items are permanent (Department of
Planning Services)
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 4
-6) Show and label the required fencing, gates and any emergency and site identification-
signage, in accordance with Section 23-2-240 A 12 and Section 23-4-1030 C 6 of the Weld
County Code Include fence and sign specification details on the map Refer to the Weld
County Sign Code, as amended (Department of Planning Services)
7) Show and label the location of the temporary trash collection areas, if applicable Include
specification details on the USR map Refer to Section 23-2-240 A 13 of the Weld County
Code for design cntena (Department of Planning Services)
8) Show and label any planned oil and gas surface development areas, corndors, access r
roadways, for example, part of any executed Surface Use Agreement (Department of
Planning Services) -
9) Show,and label all recorded easements and rights -of -way on the map by book and page
number or reception number and recording date (Department of Planning Services)
10) County Road 49 is a gravel road and is designated on the Weld County Functional
Classification Map as a local road which requires sixty (60) feet of nght-of-way at full
buildout The applicant shall delineate and label on the USR map the existing nght-of-way
(along'with its creating document) and the physical location of the road All setbacks shall
be measured from the edge of right-of-way This road is maintained- by Weld County
(Development Review) -
11) Show and label the approved tracking control (Development Review)
12) Show and label the entrance gate if applicable An access approach that is gated shall be
designed so that the longest vehicle (including traders) using the access can completely
-clear the traveled way when the gate is closed In no event, shall the distance from the 1
gate to the edge, of the traveled surface}be less than thirty-five (35) feet (Development
- Review)
'13) Show and label drainage flow arrows (Development Review)
14) Show and label the parking and traffic circulation flow arrows showing how the traffic moves
around the property (Development Review) n
2 Upon completion of Condition of Approval #1 above, the applicant shall submit one (1) electronic
copy ( pdf) of the map for preliminary approval to the Weld County Department ,of Planning
Services Upon approval of the map the applicant shall submit a Mylar map along with all other
documentation required as Conditions of Approval The Mylar map shall be recorded in the office
of the Weld County Clerk and Recorder by the Department of Planning Services The map shall be
prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 23-2-260 D of the Weld County Code
The Mylar map and additional requirements shall be submitted within one hundred twenty (120)
days from the date of the BoardofCounty Commissioners Resolution The applicant shall be
responsible for paying the recording fee (Department of Planning Services) -
- 3 - In accordance with Appendix 5-J of the Weld County Code, should the map not be recorded within
the required one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the Board of County Commissioners
Resolution, a $50 00 recording continuance charge shall be added for each additional three (3)
month period (Department of Planning Services)
4 The Use -by Special Review is not perfected until the Conditions of Approval are completed and the
map is recorded Activity shall not occur, nor shall any building or electncal permits be issued on
the property, until the Use by Special Review map is ready to be recorded in the office of the Weld
County Clerk and Recorder or the applicant has been approved for an early release agreement
(Department of Planning Services)
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 5
5 Prior to Construction
A The applicant shall submit an irrevocable standby letter of credit, bond, or alternate form of
security in an amount sufficient to fund the estimated decommissioning/reclamation costs
required by Section 23-4-1030 B 4 of the Weld County Code, for acceptance and approval by
the Weld County Board of County Commissioners Once approved, the Decommissioning and
Reclamation Plan shall be updated to include the approved security information (Department
of Planning Services)
B The applicant shall submit an ALTA survey that identifies all subsurface utilities (Department
of Planning Services)
C The approved access and tracking control shall be constructed (Development Review)
D If more than one (1) acre is to be disturbed, a Weld County Grading Permit shall be acquired
(Development Review)
E Overweight and/or oversized special transport permits from the Department of Public Works
shall be acquired for all applicable trucks (Development Review)
Motion seconded by Hunter Rivera
VOTE
For Passage
Butch White
Michael Wailes
Virginia Gudegahn
Barney Hammond
Michael Biwer
Calven Goza
Hunter Rivera
Against Passage Absent
Michael Palizzi
The Chair declared the resolution passed and ordered that a certified copy be forwarded with the file of this
case to the Board of County Commissioners for further proceedings
Certification of Copy
I, Kristine Ranslem, Recording Secretary for the Weld County Planning Commission, do hereby certify that
the above and foregoing resolution is a true copy of the resolution of the Planning Commission of Weld
County, Colorado, adopted on June 3, 2025
Dated the 3rd ofJune, 2025
`�� fJ J7 X�t.i1attivL
Kristine Ranslem
Secretary
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 6
USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
RDC CO Weld County RD 49 LLC
USR25-0005
1 A Use by Special Review Permit, USR25-0005, is for a Solar Energy Facility (SEF) outside of
subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone Distnct, subject to the Development
Standards stated hereon (Department of Planning Services)
2 Approval of this plan may create a vested property nght pursuant to Section 23-8-10 of the Weld
County Code (Department of Planning Services)
3 The Use by Special Review Permit shall be valid for three (3) years from the date of approval If
the site is not selected for being a participant in any community solar program the permit shall
expire on the anniversary date of Board of County Commissioners approval (Department of
Planning Services)
4 Any future structures or uses on site must obtain the appropnate zoning and budding permits
(Department of Planning Services)
5 The facility is unmanned and will operate year-round, according to the application materials Limited
maintenance personnel may visit the site once operational (Department of Planning Services)
6 Height limitation Ground -mounted solar collectors shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height,
measured from the highest grade below each solar panel to the highest extent of the solar panel
rotation per Section 23-4-1030 C 1 of the Weld County Code, as amended (Department of
Planning Services)
7 Glare A SEF shall be designed, located, or placed so that concentrated solar glare from its solar
collectors will not be directed toward or onto nearby properties or roadways at any time of the day
per Section 23-4-1030 C 2 of the Weld County Code, as amended (Department of Planning
Services)
8 Setbacks The Improved Area of the SEF shall conform to the setback requirements of the
underlying zone Additionally, the improved area must be at least five hundred (500) feet from
existing residential buildings and residential lots of a platted subdivision or planned unit
development The residential setback requirement may be reduced if appropnate screening
through landscape or an opaque fence is installed, or upon submittal to Weld County of a waiver
or informed consent signed by the residence owner agreeing to the lesser setback If landscaping
or opaque fencing is substituted for setback, a landscaping plan or fencing plan shall first be
submitted to and approved by the Department of Planning Services per Section 23-4-1030 C 3 of
the Weld County Code, as amended (Department of Planning Services)
9 The existing and proposed landscaping and screening on the site shall be maintained in
accordance with the approved Landscape and Screening Plan Required landscaping and
screening shall be installed within one (1) calendar year of issuance of a budding permit or
commencement of use, whichever occurs sooner Dead or diseased plant materials shall be
replaced with matenals of similar quantity and quality at the earliest possible time (Department of
Planning Services)
10 Dust mitigation The operators of the SEF shall continuously employ the practices for control of
fugitive dust detailed in their accepted Dust Mitigation Plan per Section 23.4-1030 C 4 of the Weld
County Code, as amended (Department of Planning Services)
11 Underground cables All electncal cables on the improved area shall be buried, except for direct
current string wires that connect between solar collectors, direct current collection circuits between
rows of solar arrays that are no more than four (4) feet above grade crossings, substations,
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC ,
Page 7
switchyards, and circuit voltages greater than 34 5 kilovolts (where necessary) per Section 23-4-
1030 C 5 of the Weld County Code, as amended (Department of Planning Services)
12 Fencing The SEF shall be enclosed with a secunty fence as, approved pursuant to the Fencing
Plan shown heron Appropriate signage shall be placed upon such ,fencing that warns the public of
the high voltage therein per Section 23-4-1030 C 6 of the Weld County,Code All signs shall adhere
to the adopted Weld County Sign Code, as amended `(Department orPlanning Services)
13 Stormwater management The Operator of the SEF shall comply with the approved Final Drainage
Report and the required Storm Drainage Cntena pursuant to Chapter 8, Article XI of this Code
Ground -mounted solar collector systems shall be exempt from impervious surface calculations if
the soil under the collectors is designated -hydrologic A or B soil groups by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) per Section 23-4-1030 C 7 of the Weld County Code, as amended
(Department of Planning Services)
14 Access permit Prior to construction of the SEF, the applicant shall apply for and obtain an approved
Access Permit from the Weld County Department of Planning Services, pursuant to the provisions
of Article XIV of Chapter 8 of this Code per Section 23-4-1030 C 8 of the Weld County Code, as
amended (Department of Planning Services)
15 Existing irngation systems The nature and location or expansion of the SEF must not unreasonably
interfere with any irngation systems on or adjacent to -the solar facility per Section 23-4-1030 C 9
of the Weld County Code, as amended (Department of Planning Services)
16 The site shall adhere to the accepted Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan Per Section 23-4-
1030 B 4 h of the Weld County Code, as amended Weld County shall have the right to draw upon
the irrevocable -standby letter of credit, or other form of financial security, to pay for
decommissioning in the event that the holder has not commenced decommissioning/reclamation
activities within ninety (90) days of the Board of County Commissioners' order or resolution directing
decommissioning/reclamation (Department of Planning Services) ,
17 The site shall be maintained in accordance with the accepted Property Maintenance Plan
(Department of Planning Services)
18 All signs shall adhere to Chapter 23, Article IV, Division 2 of the Weld County Code (Department
of Planning Services) ,
19 Sources of light shall be shielded so that light rays will not shine directly onto adjacent properties
where such would cause a nuisance or interfere with the use on the adjacent properties in
accordance with the plan Neither the direct, nor reflected, light from any light source may create a
traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public or pnvate streets No colored lights may be
used which may be confused with, or construed as, traffic control devices (Department of Planning
Services)
20 The property owner shall maintain compliance with the Decommissioning Plan (Department of
Planning Services)
21 The property ,owner or operator shall be responsible for controlling noxious weeds on the site,
pursuant to,Chapter 15, Article I and II, of the Weld County Code (Development Review)
22 The access to the site shall be maintained to mitigate any impacts to the public road, including
damages and/or off -site tracking (Development Review)
23' There shall be no parking or staging of vehicles on public roads On -site parking shall be utilized
(Development Review)
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 8
24 Any work that may occupy and or encroach upon any County rights -of -way or easement shall
acquire an approved Right -of -Way Use Permit prior to commencement (Development Review)
25 The Property Owner shall comply with all requirements provided in the executed Road Maintenance
Agreement (Development Review)
26 The historical flow patterns and runoff amounts will be maintained on the site in such a manner that
it will reasonably preserve the natural character of the area and prevent property damage of the
type generally attributed to runoff rate and velocity increases, diversions, concentration and/or
unplanned ponding of stormwater runoff (Development Review)
27 Weld County is not responsible for the maintenance of onsite drainage related features
(Development Review)
28 Dunng construction, all liquid and solid wastes (as defined in the Solid Wastes Disposal Sites and
Facilities Act, 30-20-100 5, C R S ) shall be stored and removed for final disposal in a manner that
protects against surface and groundwater contamination (Department of Public Health and
Environment)
29 Dunng construction, no permanent disposal of wastes shall be permitted at this site This is not
meant to include those wastes specifically excluded from the definition of a solid waste in the Solid
Wastes Disposal Sites and Facilities Act, 30-20-100 5, C R S (Department of Public Health and
Environment)
30 Dunng,construction, waste materials shall be handled, stored, and disposed in a manner that
controls fugitive dust, fugitive particulate emissions, blowing debns, and other potential nuisance
conditions The facility shall operate in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 1 of the Weld County
Code (Department of Public Health and Environment)
31 Fugitive dust and fugitive particulate emissions shall be controlled throughout the duration of
construction of the facility (Department of Public Health and Environment)
32 Dunng construction, adequate toilet facilities and handwashing units shall be provided Portable
toilets shall be serviced by a cleaner licensed in Weld County, contain hand sanitizers, be screened
from public view, and removed when construction is completed (Department of Public Health and
Environment)
33 The operation shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of State and Federal agencies
and the Weld County Code (Department of Public Health and Environment)
34 Building permits may be required, for any new construction, set up of manufactured structures, or
change of use of existing buildings per Section 29-3-10 of the Weld County Code Buildings and
structures shall conform to the requirements of the vanous codes adopted at the time of permit
application Currently the following has been adopted by Weld County 2018 International Budding
Codes, 2018 International Energy Code, 2020 National Electrical Code, and Chapter 29 of the Weld
County Code A Building Permit Application must be completed and two (2) complete sets of
engineered plans bearing the wet stamp of a Colorado registered architect or engineer must be
submitted for review A Geotechnical Engineering Report, performed by a Colorado registered
engineer, shall be required or an Open Hole Inspection A budding permit must be issued prior to
the start of construction (Department of Budding Inspection)
35 Building Permits issued on the proposed lots will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the
County Facility Fee, County -Wide Road Impact Fee, and Drainage Impact Fee Programs
(Department of Planning Services)
36 All buildings shall comply with the setback from oil and gas wells per Section 23-4-700, as
amended (Department of Planning Services)
Resolution USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Page 9
37 The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with the Design and Operation
Standards of Chapter 23 of the Weld County Code (Department of Planning Services)
38 Necessary personnel from the Weld County Departments of Planning Services, Public Works, and
Public Health and Environment shall be granted access onto the property at any reasonable time
in order to ensure the activities carned out on the property comply with the Conditions of Approval
and Development Standards stated herein and all applicable Weld County regulations
39 The Use by Special Review area shall be limited to the plans shown hereon and governed by the
foregoing standards and all applicable Weld County regulations Substantial changes from the
plans or Development Standards, as shown or stated, shall require the approval of an amendment
of the Permit by the Weld County Board of County Commissioners before such changes from the
plans or Development Standards are permitted Any other changes shall be filed in the office of the
Department of Planning Services
40 The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with all of the foregoing
Development Standards Noncompliance with any of the foregoing Development Standards may
be reason for revocation of the Permit by the Board of County Commissioners
41 Construction or use pursuant to approval of a Use by Special Review Permit shall be commenced
within three (3) years from the date of approval, unless otherwise specified by the Board of County
Commissioners when issuing the original Permit, or the Permit shall be vacated The Director of
Planning Services may grant an extension of time, for good cause shown, upon a wntten request
by the landowner "
42 A Use by Special Review shall terminate when the use is discontinued for a period of three (3)
consecutive years, the use of the land changes or the time penod established by the Board of
County Commissioners through the approval process expires The landowner may notify the
Department of Planning Services of a termination of the use, or Planning Services staff may
observe that the use has been terminated When either the Department of Planning Services is
notified by the landowner, or when the Department of Planning Services observes that the use may
have been terminated, the Planner shall send certified written notice to the landowner asking that
the landowner request to vacate the Use by Special Review Permit
43 In such cases where the Use by Special Review has terminated but the landowner does not agree
to request to vacate the Use by Special Review Permit, a hearing shall be scheduled with the Board
of County Commissioners to provide the landowner an opportunity to request that the Use by
Special Review Permit not be vacated, for good cause shown The landowner shall be notified at
least ten (10) days pnor to the heanng If the Board of County Commissioners determines that the
Use by Special Review has terminated and no good cause has been shown for continuing the
permit, then the termination becomes final, and the Use by Special Review Permit is vacated
Summary of the Weld County Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
A regular meeting of the Weld County Planning Commission was held in the Weld County Administration
Building, Hearing Room, 1150 O Street, Greeley, Colorado. This meeting was called to order by Chair
Butch White, at 1:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Butch White, Michael Wailes, Virginia Guderjahn, Barney Hammond, Michael Biwer, Calven Goza,
Hunter Rivera.
Absent: Michael Palizzi.
Also Present: Molly Wright, Lindsay Oliver. Matthew VanEyll, Angela Snyder, Department of Planning
Services; Mike McRoberts and Aaron Maurice, Development Review; Karin McDougal, County Attorney,
and Kris Ranslem, Secretary.
Case Number:
Applicant:
Planner'
Request:
Legal Description:
Location:
USR25-0005
Juan Pablo Gomez Mendiola, c/o RDC CO Weld County Rd 49 LLC
Matthew VanEyll
Use by Special Review Permit for a Solar Energy Facility (SEF), outside of
subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
N1/2 NW1 /4 of Section 19, Township 7 North, Range 64 West of the 6th P.M.,
Weld County, Colorado.
East of and adjacent to County Road 49; south of and adjacent to County Road 80
section line.
Matthew VanEyll, Planning Services, presented Case USR25-0005, reading the recommendation and
comments into the record. Mr. VanEyll noted that there were no written correspondence or telephone calls
received from surrounding property owners.
The Department of Planning Services recommends approval of this application along with conditions of
approval and development standards.
Mike McRoberts, Development Review, reported on the existing traffic. access to the site and drainage
conditions for the site.
James Bentley, Reactivate, 2045 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, stated that they are proposing a 3
megawatt solar energy facility on 30 acres. This will generate power for 530 homes for a year. The
landowner is not able to irrigate the eastern portion of his land that is proposed for the solar facility. Mr.
Bentley provided an overview of the mitigation for the potential impacts regarding noise, wildlife habitat,
dust and weeds, and traffic impacts.
Commissioner Biwer referred to the term community solar and said that once it gets to the grid that power
can go anywhere. He added that there is no direct benefit or cost reduction for the local community and
asked how that works. Mr. Bentley said that subscribers would subscribe locally and it does go back into
the grid. He added that where the power can be distributed is dependent to the utility.
The Chair asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this application.
Edwin Grant, 2411 27th Avenue. stated that he is an Xcel Energy stockholder. He provided comparisons
on how much it takes to make energy from coal, oil, gas, solar, and wind.
The Chair asked the applicant if they have read through the Development Standards and Conditions of
Approval and if they are in agreement with those. The applicant replied that they are in agreement.
Motion: Forward Case USR25-0005 to the Board of County Commissioners along with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards with the Planning Commission's recommendation of approval,
Moved by Michael Biwer, Seconded by Hunter Rivera.
1
Vote Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary Yes = 7)
Yes Barney Hammond, Butch White, Calven Goza, Hunter Rivera, Michael Biwer, Michael Wailes, Virginia
Gudegahn
Meeting adjourned at 4 19 p m
Respectfully submitted,
45Vbbnit-, Y&Iandiin-
Kristine Ranslem
Secretary
2
ATTENDANCE RECORD
NAME - PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
ADDRESS
EMAIL
John Doe
123 Nowhere Street, City, State, Zip
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