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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220932.tiffMEMORANDUM TO: Angela Snyder, Planning Services FROM: Melissa J King, PE, Development Review DATE: December 13, 2021 SUBJECT: USR21-0023 Enders Land Company, LLC The proposal has been reviewed on behalf of the Weld County Department of Public Works. Staff comments made during this phase of the application process may not be all-inclusive, as other issues may arise during the remaining application process. COMMENTS GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION/LOCATION Project description: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review for a Solar Energy Facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. This project is south of CR 22 and is east of CR 41. Parcel number 130715000026. Access is from CR 22. ACCESS Development Review has reviewed the application materials related to access. The applicant has proposed to access CR 22 at an existing unpermitted access point that is approximately 10,600 feet east of the intersection of CR 22 and CR 41. To utilize this access point, the applicant has proposed using the section line right-of-way for CR 45. An access permit shall be obtained for this location as it appears as if it meets the Minimum Access Spacing Criteria as specified in Table 1 of Sec. 8-14-30. Per Sec. 8-14-30, an Access Permit is required for access to Weld County maintained roadways. We strongly encourage you to discuss your access location with Public Works prior to laying out your site plan. All "preliminarily approved" accesses are subject to change during the access permitting process. Per Sec. 24-8-40, when feasible, there shall be no net increase in the number of accesses to a public road. Minimum access spacing widths are shown in Weld County Code Sec. 8-14-30. For shared, Public Works strongly recommends the property owner establish an access road maintenance agreement so future owner of the properties will be aware of their requirements for shared maintenance of the access road. This is not a requirement for the recorded exemption but is recommended to avoid property owner conflicts in the future. Please refer to Chapter 8 of the Weld County Code for more information regarding access. ROADS AND RIGHTS -OF -WAY This portion of County Road 45 is a section line road. Section line right-of-way does not exist in all sections in Weld County and should be verified before a decision to utilize it is made. Weld County commonly refers to these locations as "Non -Maintained Section Line Right -of -Way." The existence of a physical road does not imply public right-of-way and the road may be located on private property. All right-of-way should be verified and physical roads located in relationship to the public right-of-way to ensure trespassing does not occur. The applicant shall verify the existing right-of-way and the documents creating the right-of-way and this information shall be noted on the plat. The applicant shall delineate on the plat the existing right-of-way and physical location of existing or proposed roads. If the right-of-way cannot be verified it shall be dedicated or an adequate easement between property owners shall be provided. Pursuant to the definition of setback in the Weld County Code Sec. 23-1-90, the required setback is measured from the future right- of -way line. Be aware the physical roadway(s) may not be centered in the right-of-way. This road is NOT maintained by Weld County. Per, Sec. 8-13-30.B, a Weld County Right -of -Way Use Permit is required for any project that will be occupying, constructing or excavating facilities within, and/or encroaching upon, any County rights -of -way or easement. Right -of -Way Use Permit instructions and application can be found at https://www.weldgov.com/departments/publIcworks/permits/. Weld County will not replace overlapping easements located within existing right-of-way or pay to relocate existing utilities within the County right-of-way. TRAFFIC Latest ADT (2019) on this portion of CR 22 counted 1,974 vpd with 47% trucks. The 85th percentile speed is 65 mph. The traffic information submitted with the application materials indicated that during operation there will be approximately 1 monthly roundtrips. However, during the 4-5 month construction timeframe there will be a maximum of 68 vehicles per day. 50% of the traffic will be going to the east and 50% of the traffic will be going to the west. No additional traffic information is needed. TRACKING CONTROL Tracking control is required to prevent tracking from the site onto public roadways. For access to paved roads, tracking control devices can be double cattle guards with 100 ft. of asphalt or 300 ft of asphalt. For access to gravel roads, tracking control devices must be either double cattle guards with 100 ft. of road base, or road base on all driving surfaces. Temporary Tracking Control shall be used during construction unless permanent tracking control is installed ahead of construction activities. Recycled concrete is not allowed in County right-of-way. Tracking control for unmaintained public right-of-way is required just prior to entering publicly maintained roadways. A variance request for alternatives to the tracking control requirement can be submitted to Public Works for review and consideration. Based on the use of 2,600 feet of privately maintained section line road, no tracking control will be required. ROAD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT (Construction) Public Works is requesting a Road Maintenance Agreement including, but not limited to, dust control and damage repair to specified haul routes during construction. Improvements/Road Maintenance Agreement: An example agreement is available at: https://www.weldgov.com/Government/Departments/Planning-and-Zoning/Development-Review . DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS This area IS within a Non -Urbanizing Drainage Area: Non -Urbanizing Drainage Areas typically require detention of runoff from the 1 -hour, 100 -year, storm falling on the developed site and release of the detained water at the historic runoff rate of the 1 -hour, 10 -year storm falling on the undeveloped site for NON - URBANIZING areas. Detention pond waived and a simple drainage narrative: The applicant has submitted an acceptable drainage narrative stating that the site is 95% Class A soils and that the imperviousness will not increase other than the base of the solar panels. No additional stormwater information is needed. Historic Flows: The applicants will be required to maintain the historic drainage flows and run-off amounts that exist from the property. GRADING PERMIT A Weld County Grading Permit will be required if disturbing more than 1 acre. Grading Permit applications are accepted after the planning process is complete (plan recorded). An Early Release Request Form may be entertained only after the applicant, Public Works and Planning Department have reviewed the referral and surrounding property owner comments. The Early Release Request may or may not be granted depending on referral comments and surrounding property owner concerns. Contact an Engineering representative from the Public Works for more information. A Construction Stormwater Permit is also required with the State for disturbing more than 1 acre. Contact: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, 303-692-3575. CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL A. A Road Maintenance Agreement 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) B. If applicable, the applicant shall submit a recorded copy of any agreement signed by all of the owners of the property crossed to reach the access point on CR 22. The agreement shall be for ingress, egress, utilities and shall be referenced on the USR map by the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Reception number. (Development Review) B. The plan shall be amended to delineate the following: 1. County Road 22 is a paved road and is designated on the Weld County Functional Classification Map as an arterial road which requires 140 feet of right-of-way at full buildout. The applicant shall delineate and label on the site map or plat the future and existing right-of-way (along with the documents creating the existing right-of-way) 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) 2. County Road 45 Section Line is shown to have 30 feet of unmaintained section line right-of-way per the Weld County GIS right-of-way map. The applicant shall delineate the existing right-of-way on the site plan. Show and label the section line Right -of -Way as "CR 45 Section Line Right -Of - Way, not County maintained." All setbacks shall be measured from the edge of right-of-way.. (Development Review) 3. If applicable, show and label a 30 -foot minimum access and utility easement to provide legal access to the parcel on the site plan. (Development Review) 4. Show and label the approved access location, approved access width and the appropriate turning radii on the site plan. The applicant must obtain an access permit in the approved location prior to construction. (Development Review) 5. Show and label the drainage flow arrows. (Development Review) 6. Show and label the parking and traffic circulation flow arrows showing how the traffic moves around the property. (Development Review) Prior to Construction: A. The approved access and tracking control shall be constructed prior to on -site construction. (Development Review) B. If more than one (1) acre is to be disturbed, a Weld County Grading Permit will be required. (Development Review) DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (NOTES ON THE SITE PLAN) 1. 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) 2. 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) 3. The Property Owner shall comply with all requirements provided in the executed Road Maintenance Agreement. (Development Review) 4. The Road Maintenance Agreement for this site may be reviewed on an annual basis, including a site visit and possible updates. (Development Review) 5. Access will be along unmaintained County right-of-way and maintenance of the right-of-way will not be the responsibility of Weld County. (Development Review) 6. The historical flow patterns and runoff amounts on the site will be maintained. (Development Review) WELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT 1555 North 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 www,weldhealth,org Memorandum To: Angela Snyder From: Lauren Light, Environmental Health Services Date: December 17, 2021 Re: USR27-0023 Applicant: Enders Land Company LLC c/o Overland Solar LLC Environmental Health Services has reviewed this Site -Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Solar Energy Facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. As no employees will be located at the site, permanent water and sewer is not required. Screened portable toilets, hand washing units and bottled water can be utilized during construction. We recommend the following requirements are incorporated into the permit as development standards: 1. During 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. 2. During 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. 3. During construction, waste materials shall be handled, stored, and disposed in a manner that controls fugitive dust, fugitive particulate emissions, blowing debris, and other potential nuisance conditions. The facility shall operate in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 1 of the Weld County Code. 4. Fugitive dust and fugitive particulate emissions shall be controlled throughout the duration of construction of the facility. Health Administration Vital Records Icic: 9/0 304 6410 Fax: 9/0-301-64 I'2 Public Health & Clinical Services Icic: 9/0 304 6420 Fax: 910-304-64 16 Environmental Health Services Tele:970-304-6415 Fux: 970-304-6411 Communication, Education & Planning Tele: 970-304-6470 Fox: 970-304-6452 Emergency Preparedness 8 Response Te le: 970-304-6470 Fax: 970-304-6462 Public Health 5. During 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. 6. The operation shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of State and Federal agencies and the Weld County Code. Submit by Email Weld County Referral December 7, 2021 The Weld County Department of Planning Services has received the following item for review: Applicant: Enders Land Company LLC c/o Overland Solar LLC Please Reply By: January 4, 2022 Project: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review for a Solar Energy Facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone District Case Number: USR21-0023 Planner: Angela Snyder Parcel Number: 130715000026-R8449300-egal: SE4 SECTION 15, T2N, R65W of the 6th P.M., Weld, County Colorado. Location: 0.5 miles east of county Road 43, north of and adjacent to County Road 20 Section Line The application is submitted to you for review and recommendation. Any comments or recommendation you consider relevant to this request would be appreciated. Please reply by the above listed date so that we may give full consideration to your recommendation. Any response not received before or on this date may be deemed to be a positive response to the Department of Planning Services. If you have any further questions regarding the application, please call the Planner associated with the request. Please note that new information may be added to applications under review during the review process. If you desire to examine or obtain this additional information, please call the Department of Planning Services. IT We have reviewed the request and find that it does / does not comply with our Comprehensive Plan because: IT We have reviewed the request and find no conflicts with our interests. T See attached letter. Signature Agency Weld County Oil and Gas Energy DE Date 12/28/2021 Weld County Planning Dept. 1555 N. 17th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631 (970)-440-6100 (970)-304-6498 fax Weld County Oil & Gas Energy Department Referral Comments Referring Agency: Weld County Department of Planning Services Reference Number: USR21-0023 Associated Parcel: 1307-15-0-00-026 OGED Reviewer: Jennifer Teeters Review Date: December 28, 2021 The Staff of the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the captioned planning case. Staff has completed review of the proposal and have no conflicts with the proposed activity. We have included additional comments below: 1. There are no active or proposed 1041 WOGLA Permits on the associated parcel. There are several oil and gas well sites in the area surrounding the parcel. 2. The parcel includes four (4) plugged and abandoned (PA) wells listed in Table 2 below. Additional information regarding these plugged and abandoned wells is available from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). OGED recommends that the Applicant review this information and contact the responsible operator regarding well infrastructure that may have been abandoned in place prior to conducting operations in proximity to the wells. API Operator Well Title Well Status 05-123-20141 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red X #15-10 JI PA 05-123-16781 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red #X 15-10 PA 05-123-19647 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red X #15-15JI PA 05-123-16782 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red #X 15-15 PA 3. The parcel includes two (2) Shut-in (SI) wells listed in Table 2 below. Additional information regarding these Shut-in wells is available from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). OGED recommends that the Applicant review this information and contact the responsible operator regarding well infrastructure that may have been abandoned in place prior to conducting operations in proximity to the wells. API Operator Well Title Well Status 05-123-16236 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red X #15-4D SI 05-123-16783 Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP Bolet Red #X 15-16 SI 4. The USR lands may include additional oil and gas related infrastructure, such as off -location flowlines or pipeline which are a use by right and not regulated by Weld County. OGED requests that the applicant reviews flowline data available from the COGCC map viewer and utilize Colorado 811 prior to any excavation activities. These comments and recommendations are based upon the review of the application materials submitted by the applicant and other relevant information available on the E -Permit site. IN TEp POWER Your Touchstone Energy,ff Cooperative . December 16, 2021 Weld County Planning Services Re: Case# USR21-0023 — Overland Solar Dear Angela Snyder: On behalf of United Power, Inc., thank you for inviting us to review and comment on the Case# USR21-0O23 — Overland Solar. After review of the information, we have the following comments: + Perimeter Distribution — United Power requires continuous dry utility easements for reliable electric facility installation. This allows us to install electric facilities in a continuous manner for our loop feed which provides reliability. With that being said, there are easements along the north and east sides of the parcel, but we will need S' to 10' wide dry utility easements on the west and south ends. • Easements utilized by United Power cannot be encumbered by any hard surfaces such as streets or sidewalks. Although the roadways/tracts on the plat are dedicated to utilities, we have above ground equipment that cannot be placed within these areas. in addition, sidewalks take away from the use of the easement & reduces the area, limiting where our equipment can be placed. Please have the property owner/developer/contractor submit an application for new electric service, any, modification to existing facilities including relocation and/or removal along with CAD data via https://www.unitedpower.com/construction. UNITED POWER, INC., 500 Cooperative Way • Brighton, CO 80603 3O3-659.0551 • 00-46B-880 • fax 303-659-2172 www.unitediower.com United Power would like to work with these persons early in the construction process on getting an electric design prepared so that we can request any additional easements needed and hopefully have those easements dedicated on the plat rather than obtaining separate instrument. Obtaining easements via a separate instrument can be time consuming and could cause delays. As a Reminder: No permanent structures are acceptable within the dry utility easement(s); such as, window wells, wing walls, retaining walls, basement walls, roof overhang, anything affixed to the house like decks, etc. United Power considers any structure that impedes the access, maintenance, and safety of our facilities a permanent structure. No exceptions will be allowed, and any encroachments could result in penalties. Service will be provided according to the rules, regulations, and policies in effect by United Power at the time service is requested. We would like to remind the developer to call the Utility Notification Center by dialing 811 to have all utilities located prior to construction. We look forward to safely and efficiently providing reliable electric power and outstanding service. Thank you, 4144,bier Me-o-za/ Amber Mendoza, RWA ROW Agent 720.249.9315 I platreferral@unitedpower.darn Hello