HomeMy WebLinkAbout20192734.tiffPlanner: Kim Ogle
Case Number: USR19-0026
LAND USE APPLICATION
SUMMARY SHEET
PRELIMINARY
Hearing Date: June 18, 2019
Applicant: Peters 313 Ranch, Inc. do John L. Peters
c/o Tracey Jensen, Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC; 707 Wapiti Avenue, Rifle, CO
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for Mineral Resource
Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3) gas
compressors and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office trailers and
ten (10) temporary conex for use during the construction of the facility in the A (Agricultural)
Zone. (Brahma Compressor Station)
Legal Subdivision Exemption No. SUBX19-0010 being part of Section 33, Township 12 North,
Description Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County Colorado
Location: Approximately 1.2 miles south of County Road 138; east of and adjacent to County Road 65
Section Line
Size of Parcel: 12.811 +/- acres Parcel Number: 0043-33-0-00-002
POSSIBLE ISSUES SUMMARIZED FROM APPLICATION MATERIALS
The criteria for review of this Special Review Permit is listed in Section 23-2-220 of the Weld County Code.
The Department of Planning Services' staff has received responses with comment from the following
agencies:
Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, referral dated April 19, 2019
➢ Weld County Department of Public Works, referral dated May 1, 2019
The Department of Planning Services' staff has received responses without comment from the following
agencies:
Weld County Sheriff's Office, referral dated April 19, 2019
Weld County Zoning Compliance, referral dated April 25, 2019
The Department of Planning Services' staff has not received responses from the following agencies:
History Colorado
Pawnee Fire Protection District
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Weld County Building Inspection
West Greeley Conservation District
Weld County Office of Emergency
Management
Laramie County, Wyoming
USR19-0026
Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC, Brahma Compressor Facility
Page 1
Planner: Kim Ogle
Case Number: USR19-0026
SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Hearing Date: June 18, 2019
Applicant: Peters 313 Ranch, Inc. c/o John L. Peters
c/o Tracey Jensen, Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC; 707 Wapiti Avenue, Rifle, CO
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for Mineral Resource
Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3) gas
compressors and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office trailers and
ten (10) temporary conex for use during the construction of the facility in the A (Agricultural)
Zone. (Brahma Compressor Station)
Legal SUBX19-0010 being part of Section 33, Township 12 North, Range 63 West of the 61h P.M.,
Description Weld County Colorado
Location: Approximately 1.2 miles south of County Road 138; east of and adjacent to County Road 65
Section Line
Size of Parcel: 12.811 +/- acres Parcel Number: 0043-33-0-00-002
Narrative:
Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC is in the process of expanding operations in Weld County. This project will
complement the previously approved Summit Midstream Hereford Ranch Processing Plant, 3MUSR18-13-
0002 and the Angus Compressor Station Facility, 1MUSR18-12-0048, and will include three (3) gas
compressors and interconnecting pipelines for the purpose of gathering raw natural gas and preparing it for
compression and insertion into pipelines. This application only addresses the unmanned Brahma compressor
station sited on a 12.811 acre Subdivision Exemption leasehold parcel. The site will maintain and operate
limited facility internal lighting and will be fully fenced with the area inside the fence graveled and the area
outside of the fence will be re -vegetated with native grasses.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES' STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THIS REQUEST BE
APPROVED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. The submitted materials are in compliance with the application requirements of Section 23-2-260 of the
Weld County Code.
2. It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services' staff 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 and any other applicable
code provisions or ordinance in effect.
Chapter 22, Article VI, Section 22-6-20.B.1 ECON.Policy 3.1 states "County activities and regulation
should protect the rights of private property owners and the public health, safety and welfare,
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Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC, Brahma Compressor Facility
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recognizing that these basic rights and protections allow the free market to prosper and grow the
local economy."
The property owner has submitted an application for a signed lease for lands associated with this
compressor facility. The proposed compressor station is located within the Peters 313 Ranch on
lands with multiple oil and gas encumbrances and mineral resource development facilities
associated with open pit mine of sands gravels and stones.
Chapter 22, Article V, Section 22-5-100.A.2 OG.Policy 1.2 states "Oil and gas support facilities
which do not rely on geology for locations should locate in commercial and industrial areas, when
possible, and should be subject to review in accordance with the appropriate sections of this
Code."
Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC (Summit) is in the business of collecting, processing, compressing
and transmitting natural gas products to customers via pipelines. The DJ Basin area has seen rapid
expansion as new drilling technologies are allowing more oil and gas to be produced. As a result, gas
gathering and processing capacity is needed in this area in order to meet the growing production. To
meets these needs, Summit is proposing, the Brahma compressor station necessitated by the need to
move larger volumes of gas due to the increases in drilling activity and projected additional production
increases anticipated by producers.
Chapter 22, Article V, Section 22-5-100.B.6 OG.Policy 2.6 states "Promote the safety of all citizens
and structures that are in relatively close proximity to oil and gas facilities."
The facility is proposed for a remote location of the County with no residential structures located
within several miles from the proposed facility. Additionally, the applicant is proposing to place all
equipment within pre -fabricated structures. Compressor buildings will have hospital grade
silencers and each structure is insulated to dampen equipment noise. The applicant has been
working with the Pawnee Fire Department on an Emergency Action Plan that addresses the Muster
point in case of emergency or unforeseen event. As a condition of approval prior to operation a
signed Emergency Action Plan between the Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management
and the Plant Operator is required.
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 due to the construction of
this facility.
Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-2-20.1.5 A.Policy 9.5 states "Applications for a change of land
use in the agricultural areas should be reviewed in accordance with all potential impacts to
surrounding properties and referral agencies. Encourage applicants to communicate with those
affected by the proposed land use change through the referral process."
Summit is in communication with surrounding property owners and will continue to communicate with
them. The Pawnee volunteer fire department was sent notification along with Summit contact
information and have acknowledged notification. The applicant indicates that prior to operation
emergency responders will be provided with information on emergency protocols and the muster
locations for the compressor station.
The areas surrounding the site have agricultural land use predominately for the grazing of livestock as
well as oil and gas exploration and development. There are several Highpoint Operating Corporation
well pad/tank battery adjacent to this site and several more about 800 -feet to the east. The station is
designed with minimal impact to the surrounding area. The application materials indicate that facility
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lighting will not overly illuminate large areas and will be directed at 90 degrees to the natural ground
plane. Lighting will comply with the Weld County Code with no transient light leaving the property.
The existing site is natural grasses and range land associated high prairie vegetation with no
improvements or farming. The site is in a remote, arid region as such, the proposed compressor
station will be graveled with natural grasses remaining outside the fenced area. No additional
landscaping is proposed.
B. Section 23-2-220.A.2 -- The proposed use is consistent with the intent of the A (Agricultural) Zone
District.
Section 23-3-40.A.2 of the Weld County Code provides for Mineral Resource Development Facilities,
Oil and Gas Support and Service, Natural Gas Compressor Facility, as a Use by Special Review in
the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
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 without the
interference of other, incompatible land uses.
The A (Agricultural) Zone District is also intended to provide areas for the conduct of uses by
Special Review which have been determined to be more intense or to have a potentially greater
impact than uses Allowed by Right. The A (Agricultural) Zone District regulations are established to
promote the health, safety and general welfare of the present and future residents of the County.
C. Section 23-2-220.A.3 -- The uses which will be permitted will be compatible with the existing
surrounding land uses.
The proposed Brahma Compressor Station is located in an area of the County used primarily as
grazing and pasture land and already contains various oil and gas operations and facilities. The
proposed site is surrounded by natural grasses and range land associated high prairie vegetation and
no residents. By keeping the proposed compressor footprint small (approximately 12 -acres out of the
640 -acre property), Summit intends that surrounding agricultural areas will not be affected by the
compressor station's presence. Once the construction is completed disturbed areas will be reseeded
with a native seed mix.
There are eleven (11) property owners on eleven (11) parcels within five hundred feet of this facility,
with the closest residence being approximately 0.5 miles to the south. Planning staff has not
received any telephone calls or correspondence concerning this land use application.
In the unlikely event operations cease at the Brahma Compressor Station, Summit will remove the
equipment and all of its components in accordance with COGCC regulations. Where possible,
materials will be reused or recycled. Where required, materials for disposal will be removed by a
licensed contractor and transported to a disposal site. Summit will comply with all COGCC
regulations concerning site restoration.
D. Section 23-2-220.A.4 -- The uses which will 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 the Weld County Code and any other applicable code provisions or
ordinances in effect, or the adopted Master Plans of affected municipalities.
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The site is not within a three mile referral area of a municipality and is within three miles of Laramie
County, Wyoming. There were no comments received from Laramie County concerning this land use
application.
E. Section 23-2-220.A.5 -- The application complies with Section 23-5 of the Weld County Code.
The property is not within a recognized overlay district for Flood Hazard Development, Geologic
Hazard or Airport Overlay Districts.
The site is within the County -wide Road Impact Fee Area. Building Permits issued on the lots will be
required to adhere to the fee structure of the County -wide Road Impact Fee, 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 agricultural
land in the locational decision for the proposed use.
This proposed facility is located on a Subdivision Exemption parcel created for the temporary use of
the land for oil and gas support and service facilities, specifically the Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC
Brahma Compressor Station. The approximate 628 acre area not impacted by the compressor site
will continue as grazing and pasture lands for livestock, with on -going oil and gas production activities
and open pit mining for sands gravels and stones. The proposed facility is sited on lands that are
designated as "High Potential Dryland - Prime if they become Irrigated" on the Important Farmlands of
Weld County map dated 1979.
G. Section 23-2-220.A.7 -- 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 ensure that there are adequate provisions for the protection of health, safety, and welfare
of the inhabitants of the neighborhood and County.
This recommendation is based, in part, upon a review of the application materials submitted by the applicant,
other relevant information regarding the request, and responses from referral entities.
1. Prior to recording the USR map:
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. (Department of Public Works)
B. A Final Drainage Report and Certification of Compliance stamped and signed by a Professional
Engineer registered in the State of Colorado is required. (Department of Public Works)
C. The applicant shall submit a recorded copy of any agreement signed by all of the owners of the
property crossed by the access. The access shall be for ingress, egress, utilities and shall be
referenced on the USR map by the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Reception number.
(Department of Public Works)
D. The applicant shall provide a Decommissioning Plan for the Compressor Facility.
E. The USR map shall be amended to delineate the following:
1. All sheets of the USR map shall be labeled USR19-0026 (Department of Planning Services)
2. The attached Development Standards. (Department of Planning Services)
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3. The USR map shall be prepared in accordance with Section 23-2-260.D of the Weld County
Code. (Department of Planning Services)
4. County Road 136.5 is a gravel road and is designated on the Weld County Functional
Classification Map as a local road which requires 60 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. (Department of Public Works)
5. Show and label the approved access locations, approved access width and the appropriate
turning radii (60') on the site plan. The applicant must obtain an access permit in the approved
location(s) prior to construction. (Department of Public Works)
6. Show and label the approved tracking control on the site plan. (Department of Public Works)
7. Show and label the entrance gate if applicable. An access approach that is gated shall be
designed so that the longest vehicle (including trailers) using the access can completely clear the
traveled way when the gate is closed. In no event, shall the distance from the gate to the edge of
the traveled surface be less than 35 feet. (Department of Public Works)
8. Show and label a 30 -foot minimum access and utility easement to provide legal access to the
parcel on the site plan. (Department of Public Works)
9. Show and label the accepted drainage features. Stormwater ponds should be labeled as
"Stormwater Detention, No -Build or Storage Area" and shall include the calculated volume.
(Department of Public Works)
10. Show and label the drainage flow arrows. (Department of Public Works)
11. Show and label the parking and traffic circulation flow arrows showing how the traffic moves
around the property. (Department of Public Works)
2. Prior to Construction
A. The approved access and tracking control shall be constructed prior to on -site construction.
(Department of Public Works)
B. If more than one (1) acre is to be disturbed, a Weld County Grading Permit will be required.
(Department of Public Works)
3. Prior to Operation
A. The applicant shall develop an Emergency Action and Safety Plan with the Office of Emergency
Management and the Fire District. The plan shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Facility
operator, the Fire District and the Weld County Office of Emergency Management. Submit evidence of
acceptance to the Department of Planning Services. (Department of Planning Services)
4. Upon completion of Conditions of Approval No.1. above the applicant shall submit a Mylar USR map along
with all other documentation required as Conditions of Approval. The Mylar USR map shall be recorded in
the office of the Weld County Clerk and Recorder by Department of Planning Services' Staff. The USR
map shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 23-2-260.D of the Weld County
Code. The Mylar USR map and additional requirements shall be submitted within one hundred twenty
(120) days from the date of the Board of County Commissioners resolution. The applicant shall be
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responsible for paying the recording fee. (Department of Planning Services)
5. In accordance with Weld County Code Ordinance #2012-3, approved April 30, 2012, should the USR 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 3
month period. (Department of Planning Services)
6. 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 electrical 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
Sery
SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC
Brahma Compressor Station
USR19-0026
1. A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit, USR19-0026 for Mineral Resource
Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3) gas compressors
and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office trailers and ten (10) temporary conex
for use during the construction of the facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone. (Brahma Compressor Station) ,
and subject to the Development Standards stated hereon. (Department of Planning Services)
2. Approval of this plan may create a vested property right pursuant to Section 23-8-10 of the Weld County
Code. (Department of Planning Services)
3. This is an unmanned facility. (Department of Planning Services)
4. The facility will operate 24 hours per day 365 days per year. (Department of Planning Services)
5. All signs shall adhere to Chapter 23, Article IV, Division 2 and Appendices 23-C, 23-D and 23-E of the
Weld County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
6. The pasture grass restoration shall be maintained. (Department of Planning Services)
7. Sources of light shall be shielded so that beams or rays of light will not shine directly onto adjacent
properties. Sources of light should not cause a nuisance or interfere with the use on the adjacent
properties in accordance with the map. Neither the direct, nor reflected, light from any light source may
create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public or private streets. No colored lights may be
used which may be confused with, or construed as, traffic control devices. (Department of Planning
Services)
8. The applicant or operator shall comply with the approved Decommissioning Plan. (Department of
Planning Services)
9. The property owner or operator shall provide written evidence of an approved Emergency Action and
Safety Plan on or before March 15th of any given year signed by representatives for the Fire District and
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the Weld County Office of Emergency Management to the Department of Planning Services. (Department
of Planning Services)
10. 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. (Department of Public Works)
11. The access to the site shall be maintained to mitigate any impacts to the public road, including damages
and/or off -site tracking. (Department of Public Works)
12. There shall be no parking or staging of vehicles on public roads. On -site parking shall be utilized.
(Department of Public Works)
13. 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. (Department of Public Works)
14. The Property Owner shall comply with all requirements provided in the executed Road Maintenance
Agreement. (Department of Public Works)
15. The Road Maintenance Agreement for this site may be reviewed on an annual basis, including a site visit
and possible updates. (Department of Public Works)
16. Access will be along unmaintained County right-of-way and maintenance of the right-of-way will not be the
responsibility of Weld County. (Department of Public Works)
17. The historical flow patterns and runoff amounts on the site will be maintained. (Department of Public
Works)
18. Weld County is not responsible for the maintenance of onsite drainage related features. (Department of
Public Works)
19. 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)
20. 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)
21. Waste materials shall be handled, stored, and disposed in a manner that controls fugitive dust, blowing
debris, 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)
22. Fugitive dust should attempt to be confined on the property. Uses on the property should comply with the
Colorado Air Quality Commission's air quality regulations. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
23. The applicant shall submit an Air Pollution Emission Notice (A.P.E.N.) and Emissions Permit Application
and obtain a permit from the Air Pollution Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment, as applicable. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
24. Adequate drinking, handwashing and toilet facilities shall be provided for employees and patrons of the
facility, at all times. As employees or contractors are on site for less than 2 consecutive hours a day
portable toilets and bottled water are acceptable. Records of maintenance and proper disposal for
portable toilets shall be retained on a quarterly basis and available for review by the Weld County
Department of Public Health and Environment. Portable toilets shall be serviced by a cleaner licensed in
Weld County and shall contain hand sanitizers. Portable toilets shall be screened from existing adjacent
residential properties. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
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25. All potentially hazardous chemicals must be handled in a safe manner in accordance with product
labeling. All chemicals must be stored secure, on an impervious surface, and in accordance with
manufacturer's recommendations. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
26. Secondary containment shall be constructed around tanks to provide containment for the largest single
tank and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation. Secondary containment shall be sufficiently
impervious to contain any spilled or released material. Secondary containment devices shall be inspected
at regular intervals and maintained in good condition. All secondary containment will comply with the
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation (COGCC) Commission Rule 604 and/or the provisions of the State
Underground and Above Ground Storage Tank Regulations. (Department of Public Health and
Environment)
27. The facility shall be constructed and operated to ensure that contamination of soil and groundwater does
not occur. (Department of Public Health and Environment).
28. Any contaminated soils on the facility shall be removed, treated or disposed of in accordance with all
applicable rules and regulations. All spills will be reported to local, state and federal agencies in
accordance with all state and federal regulations. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
29. The facility shall adhere to the maximum permissible noise levels allowed in the Commercial Zone as
delineated in 25-12-103 C.R.S. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
30. The applicant shall obtain a Colorado Discharge Permit System or CDPS permit from the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Water Quality Control Division, if applicable.
(Department of Public Health and Environment)
31. A Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan, prepared in accordance with the applicable
provisions of 40 CFR, Part 112, shall be available on site or as applicable. (Department of Public Health
and Environment)
32. The facility shall notify the County of any revocation and/or suspension of any State issued permit.
(Department of Public Health and Environment)
33. The applicant shall notify the County upon receipt of any compliance advisory or other notice of non-
compliance of a State issues permit, and of the outcome or disposition of any such compliance advisory or
other notice of non-compliance. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
34. 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)
35. Building Permits issued on the proposed lots will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the County-
wide Road Impact Fee, County Facility Fee and Drainage Impact Fee Programs. (Department of Planning)
36. The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with the Design and Operation
Standards of Chapter 23 of the Weld County Code.
37. Necessary personnel from the Weld County Departments of Planning Services, Public Works, and Public
Health and Environment shall be granted access onto the property with 24 -hour notice to the owner or
operator in order to ensure the activities carried out on the property comply with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards stated herein and all applicable Weld County regulations.
38. 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
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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.
39. 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.
40. RIGHT TO EXTRACT MINERAL RESOURCES STATEMENT: Weld County has some of the most
abundant mineral resources, including, but not limited to, sand and gravel, oil, natural gas, and coal.
Under title 34 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, minerals are vital resources because (a) the state's
commercial mineral deposits are essential to the state's economy; (b) the populous counties of the state
face a critical shortage of such deposits; and (c) such deposits should be extracted according to a rational
plan, calculated to avoid waste of such deposits and cause the least practicable disruption of the ecology
and quality of life of the citizens of the populous counties of the state.
Mineral resource locations are widespread throughout the County and person moving into these areas
must recognize the various impacts associated with this development. Often times, mineral resource sites
are fixed to their geographical and geophysical locations. Moreover, these resources are protected
property rights and mineral owners should be afforded the opportunity to extract the mineral resource.
41. WELD COUNTY'S RIGHT TO FARM STATEMENT: Weld County is one of the most productive
agricultural counties in the United States, typically ranking in the top ten counties in the country in total
market value of agricultural products sold. The rural areas of Weld County may be open and spacious,
but they are intensively used for agriculture. Persons moving into a rural area must recognize and accept
there are drawbacks, including conflicts with long-standing agricultural practices and a lower level of
services than in town. Along with the drawbacks come the 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.
Agricultural users of the land should not be expected to change their long-established agricultural
practices to accommodate the intrusions of urban users into a rural area. Well -run agricultural activities
will generate off -site impacts, including noise from tractors and equipment; slow -moving farm vehicles on
rural roads; dust from animal pens, field work, harvest and gravel roads; odor from animal confinement,
silage and manure; smoke from ditch burning; flies and mosquitoes; hunting and trapping activities;
shooting sports, legal hazing of nuisance wildlife; and the use of pesticides and fertilizers in the fields,
including the use of aerial spraying. It is common practice for agricultural producers to utilize an
accumulation of agricultural machinery and supplies to assist in their agricultural operations. A
concentration of miscellaneous agricultural materials often produces a visual disparity between rural and
urban areas of the County. Section 35-3.5-102, C.R.S., provides that an agricultural operation shall not be
found to be a public or private nuisance if the agricultural operation alleged to be a nuisance employs
methods or practices that are commonly or reasonably associated with agricultural production.
Water has been, and continues to be, the lifeline for the agricultural community. It is unrealistic to assume
that ditches and reservoirs may simply be moved "out of the way" of residential development. When
moving to the County, property owners and residents must realize they cannot take water from irrigation
ditches, lakes, or other structures, unless they have an adjudicated right to the water.
Weld County covers a land area of approximately four thousand (4,000) square miles in size (twice the
size of the State of Delaware) with more than three thousand seven hundred (3,700) miles of state and
county roads outside of municipalities. The sheer magnitude of the area to be served stretches available
resources. Law enforcement is based on responses to complaints more than on patrols of the County,
and the distances which must be traveled may delay all emergency responses, including law enforcement,
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ambulance, and fire. Fire protection is usually provided by volunteers who must leave their jobs and
families to respond to emergencies. County gravel roads, no matter how often they are bladed, will not
provide the same kind of surface expected from a paved road. Snow removal priorities mean that roads
from subdivisions to arterials may not be cleared for several days after a major snowstorm. Services in
rural areas, in many cases, will not be equivalent to municipal services. Rural dwellers must, by
necessity, be more self-sufficient than urban dwellers.
People are exposed to different hazards in the County than in an urban or suburban setting. Farm
equipment and oil field equipment, ponds and irrigation ditches, electrical power for pumps and center
pivot operations, high speed traffic, sandburs, puncture vines, territorial farm dogs and livestock, and open
burning present real threats. Controlling children's activities is important, not only for their safety, but also
for the protection of the farmer's livelihood.
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May 24, 2019
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N 17th AVE
GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
E-MAIL: kogle@weldgov.com
PHONE: (970) 400-3549
FAX: (970) 304-6498
JENSEN TRACEY
707 WAPITI AVE STE 202
RIFLE, CO 81650
Subject: USR19-0026 - A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for Mineral
Resource Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3) gas
compressors and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office trailers and ten (10)
temporary conex for use during the construction of the facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone. (Brahma
Compressor Station)
On parcel(s) of land described as:
SUBX19-000X BEING PART OF THE NW4 NW4 SECTION 33, T12N, R63W of the 6th P.M., Weld
County, Colorado.
Dear Applicants:
I have scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Planning Commission on June 18, 2019, at 12:30
p.m. A subsequent hearing with the Board of County Commissioners will be held on July 17, 2019 at
10:00 a.m. Both hearings will be held in the Hearing Room, Weld County Administration Building, 1150
O Street, Greeley, Colorado. It is recommended that you and/or a representative be in attendance to
answer any questions the Planning Commission members or Board of County Commissioners may
have.
Colorado Revised Statute, C.R.S.24-65.5-103 (adopted as part of H.B.01-1088) requires notification of
all mineral estate owners 30 days prior to any public hearing. The applicant needs to provide the Weld
County Planning Department with written certification indicating the above requirement has been met.
A representative from the Department of Planning Services will be out to the property a minimum of ten
days prior to the hearing to post a sign adjacent to and visible from a publicly maintained road
right-of-way which identifies the hearing time, date, and location. In the event the property is not
adjacent to a publicly maintained road right-of-way, one sign will be posted in the most prominent place
on the property and a second sign posted at the point at which the driveway (access drive) intersects a
publicly maintained road right-of-way.
The Department of Planning Services' staff will make a recommendation concerning this application to
the Weld County Planning Commission and will be included in the staff report one week prior to the
scheduled Planning Commission hearing. You may view the staff report at
www.weldcountyplanninqcases.orq
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
Kim Ogl
Planner
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N 17th AVE
GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
E-MAIL: kogle@weldgov.com
PHONE: (970) 400-3549
FAX: (970) 304-6498
April 03, 2019
JENSEN TRACEY
707 WAPITI AVE STE 202
RIFLE, CO 81650
Subject: USR19-0026 - A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for Mineral
Resource Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3) gas
compressors and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office trailers and ten (10)
temporary conex for use during the construction of the facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone.
On parcel(s) of land described as:
SUBX19-000X BEING A PART OF THE NW4 NW4 SECTION 33, T12N, R63W of the 6th P.M., Weld
County, Colorado.
Dear Applicants:
Your application and related materials for the request described above are complete and in order at this
time. I will schedule a meeting with you at the end of the review period to discuss the referral
comments received by our office.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
Kim Ogl
Planner
FIELD CHECK- USR79-0026
Inspection Date: June 6, 2019
Applicant: Peters 313 Ranch, Inc. c10 Tracey Jensen, Summit Midstream Niobrara, LLC
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for Mineral Resource
Development Facilities including Oil and Gas Support and Service including (Three (3)
gas compressors and related equipment), up to five (5) temporary construction office
trailers and ten (10) temporary conex for use during the construction of the facility in the
A (Agricultural) Zone. (Brahma Compressor Station)
Legal: Subdivision Exemption No. SUBX19-0010 being part of Section 33, Township 12 North,
Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County Colorado
Location: Approximately 1.2 miles south of County Road 138; east of and adjacent to County Road
65 Section Line
Parcel ID #: 0043-33-0-00-002
Acres: 12.8 +/-
Zoning
Land Use
N
AGRICULTURE
N
Prairie with oil and gas appurtenances, Gravel Mine
E
AGRICULTURE
E
Prairie with oil and gas appurtenances
S
AGRICULTURE
S
Prairie with oil and gas appurtenances
W
AGRICULTURE
W
Prairie with oil and gas appurtenances
Comments.
The property is located within Peters 313 Ranch and is accessed via the Ranch road past the Peters
Family home and heading west. There are several pipelines, and Production Well pads in the immediate
area. If there was a County Road 136 and a County Road 65, the proposed facility would be sited in the
southeast quadrant of this intersection. Lands in each direction are grazing lands with rural residential
property more than a mile form the proposed site.
Access to the site is a two track road with limited road base. There are several pipelines in the area and
oil and gas appurtenances
❑ Access to Property — Private Easement
D Site Distance
❑ Oil & Gas Structures
❑ Wildlife - Pronghorns
o Utilities On -Site (Western transmission lines) within Section not on SUBX
❑ Topography
Note any commercial business/commercial vehicles that are operating from the site.
Hello