The URL can be used to link to this page

Browse Search

Home My WebLink About20230197.tiffINVENTORY OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Applicant Lytle Farms LLC c/o Kaycee Lytle Case Number USR22-0024 Submitted or Prepared Prior to Hearing At Hearing 1 Robert and Maria Taylor letter received October 31, 2022 - object X — 2 Petition - object signed by 5 Surrounding Property Owners — received January 3, 2023 X 3 Presentation from the applicant X I hereby certify that the one item identified herein was submitted to the Department of Planning Services at or prior to the scheduled Planning Commissioners hearing. Diana Aungst, Planner Weld County Planning Commission and BOCC 1555 N 17th Ave Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Sir or Madam: October 31St, 2022 I am writing to request that Weld County assist me in disallowing Casey Lytle's proposed solar field Case #USR22-0024 at 21417 County Road 66 bordering my property at 21193 County Road 66 Greeley Co 80631 Weld County, as a Right to Farm County, asserts that "the county recognizes the importance of maintaining large contiguous parcels of productive agricultural lands in non -urbanizing areas of the County to support the economies of scale required for large agricultural operations. Weld County's land use policies support a high -quality rural character which respects the agricultural heritage and traditional agricultural land uses of the County, as agricultural lands are converted to other uses (excluding urban development). Rural character in the County includes those uses which provide rural lifestyles, rural -based economies and opportunities to both live and work in rural areas. The natural landscape and vegetation predominate over the built environment. Agricultural land uses and development provide the visual landscapes traditionally found in rural areas and communities...The natural landscape and vegetation predominate over the built environment. (hLtps://www.weld.gpvitovel iirnentiDepartments/Plannirig arid- onii-M ;, _ Right-fo- Farm -Agriculture -in- Weld -County), Replacing an irrigated hay field of approximately 40 acres with a field of solar panels would violate the intent and the heart of the Right to Farm mandate. Not only would a solar field desecrate this productive, thriving agricultural area, but it would also personally devalue our property (https://www.a mericanexperi ment.org/study-solar-panels-red uce-nea rby-property-values/)and diminish the quality of life we sought when we chose to build our forever home. Living next to a banker that looks at things as an investment opportunity, instead of the beauty of the land, agriculture and wildlife puts us in this position of protecting our dream and the Weld County that we moved to. We built our home here in Weld County, set back from the road so that we could be immersed in the land and enjoy the country quiet. Now, potentially, we may lose those "incentives which attract urban dwellers to relocate to rural areas: open views, spaciousness, wildlife, lack of city noise and congestion, and the rural atmosphere and way of life. Without neighboring farms, those features which attract urban dwellers to rural Weld County would quickly be gone forever. The gross negligence of the solar company to advise us what they were going to do in a timely manner as they told the banker they were going to do resulted in: 1) the inability to have enough time to properly respond to the county 2) the inability to work with the neighbors to obtain the necessary signatures to request that the solar farm not be installed. At a minimum, request that the solar company pay for an appraisal to determine the loss of value for the Taylors and all adjacent properties and provide 60 additional days before a decision is made so the neighbors can get together and appeal the solar farm. Would this stop me from further building a shed on my property in fear of blocking the solar panels? Please help me to keep the Farm values of Weld County and disallow this solar field. The issues surfaced by EMF, while controversial, do bring solid concerns as this field would be approximately 575 feet from our new home. Would you want this field 575 feet from your house? There is also the noise and light pollution, negative impact on wildlife and ecosystems, acres of mirrors humming at night and loss of property values. Please help me protect the values of Weld County and the rural country feeling that we moved to and disallow this solar field. Robert and Maria Taylor 21193 CR 66 Greeley Co, 80631 303-709-3709 f PET i STOP THE SOLAR.. FARM: ON (YULE'S SOLAR FARM Lit 21417 CR 66 Greeley Co. Weld County, as a Right to Farm. County, asserts that 'the county recognizes the importance c ' maintaining large contiguous parcels of productive agricultural lands in non -urbanizing areas of the County to support the economies of scale required for large agricultural operations. The Solar Farm will emit I F's, create noise and light pollution, negative impact on wildlife and ecosystems as welt as loss of property values. Please help protect the values of Weld County and rural country feeling. And by signing this petition you agree that the solar field should not be allowed to happen. istft et...5i 7 Cind5 l b 3 .0 EXHIBIT 2 BECLEE SOLAR: INFORMATION AND FAQs ikrZ Su n 1 are COMMODITY SOLAR Cleaner. Brighter. Better. Ale SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROJECT • 31.7 -acre project area on an 80 -acre parcel • Parcel will remain fully agricultural in use • Built through XCEL Energy's Solar Rewards Community Program • Gives consumers freedom to choose their energy source • Owned and operated by SunShare for whole lifecycle • This site for is desirable due to its close proximity to an Xcel substation ID Legend BECLEE PARCEL BUILDINGS ADJACENT PARCELS Fence Trackers OIL & GAS WELLS • • ABANDONED ACTIVE GAS STORAGE OR MONITOR IN ASSESSMENT INACTIVE JEFFREY T LOCATION MAP & SURROUNDING LAND USES wlMichaeI mcla ! tin CLOSEST RESIDENCE FARMS EXISTING ACCESS EASEMENT RANGE FEEDLOTS FEEDLOT HUNGENBE G `TIMUS ' FARM'S LLLP BUCKLING FARMS PROPOSED PROJECT ARE 31.7 ACRES LANDOWNER'S RESIDENCE XCEL SUBSTATION REFINER, RIVER .'km ;•x : I ‘LE. i,.;; , .OA A•tie. 1 te," Wit. tIL4.* 1kJII' I1 OIL & GAS REFINERY TERM I NALS CRUDE OIL LOGISTICS A PUBLIC SERVICE GOL€RAD® 'k_74;;EfAceirt a al., 1r I BENEFITS TO WELD COUNTY 1 • Local job creation 50+ local construction jobs, which also provide long-term training and skills • Increased business for local ranchers Allows for more sheep grazing, and keeps grazing local, • Contributions to 4-H Currently setting up a scholarship with Weld County 4-H to promote continued/higher education in agriculture • Energy savings and increased energy choices available for Weld County Xcel Energy Customers - • IL A NOTE FROM MR. KAYCEE LYTLE, LANDOWNER OF THE SUBJECT PARCEL "I have been a resident of Weld County for 13 years, and I, along with my family, have farmed and lived on this land for 3 years. The farm was purchased from a developer who purchased the farm and immediately sold the water and mineral rights off of it. When we purchased it, it had been neglected for several years and was in tremendous disrepair. We have since renovated the original 1904 farmhouse and barn, have cleaned up the property and farm ground, and have brought livestock back on the farm for the first time in decades (according to neighbors). We believe we have returned this farm to a state that reflects its legacy, as well as Weld County's legacy as a whole. The addition of a solar garden will add even more to that legacy, representing Weld County's push towards new technologies and a well-balanced energy mix. This farm is our home and is special to our family. In fact, the proposed solar garden is named after my two daughters, Becca and Adlee." • AGRIVOLTAICS (GO -LOCATED SOLAR & AGRICULTURE) • The entire site will remain in agricultural use; solar area will also serve as sheep grazing area • Supports the Lytles' goal to transition from flood to drip irrigation and from till to no -till • Financial support from SunShare will help fund drip irrigation system • Drip Irrigation system expected to decrease water demands by 70% • First of its kind project in Weld County aka St amass S „ 0. r. et m INCREASED WATER EFFICIENCY & CROP PRODUCTION • Landowner owns 1 out of the 16 shares needed to fully irrigate the farm with current flood irrigation system — rest must be leased • In the past three years, this farm has been fully irrigated for only one full season • Revenue from the solar lease, plus SunShare's financial assistance to install a drip irrigation system, will enable increased agricultural production on the property ECONOMICS The revenue generated from having solar + agriculture in the project area is calculated to be significantly more than the revenue from solely harvesting crops. The family has already planned on how they intend to allocate the additional revenue, which largely involves putting money into the improvement of their farm: Improved Irrigation System Continued Farm Renovations Growing Livestock Operation Reducing Debt THANK YOU stinshare OMMUNITY SOLAR. I Caner. Brighter. Betters Hello