HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180311.tiffSUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
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, Terry Cross, at 12:30 pm.
Roll Call.
Present: Bruce Johnson, Bruce Sparrow, Gene Stille, Jordan Jemiola, Michael Wailes, Lonnie Ford,
Terry Cross, Tom Cope.
Also Present: Chris Gathman, Department of Planning Services; Hayley Balzano, Department of
Planning Services — Engineering Division; Lauren Light and Ben Frissell, Department of Health; Evan
Pinkham, Public Works; Bob Choate, County Attorney, and Kris Ranslem, Secretary.
Motion: Approve the December 19, 2017 Weld County Planning Commission minutes, Moved by
Bruce Johnson, Seconded by Tom Cope. Motion passed unanimously.
CASE NUMBER: USR17-0057
APPLICANT: EQUUS FARMS INC, C/O BILL BARRETT CORPORATION
PLANNER: Chris Gathman
REQUEST: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for an Oil and Gas
Support and Service Facility (Compressor Station Facility) in the A
(Agricultural) Zone District.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: S2/NW4 SECTION 33, T4N, R62W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado.
LOCATION: Approximately 1.75 miles south of State Highway 34 and approximately 1.5 miles west of CR
386.
Chris Gathman, Planning Services, presented Case USR17-0057, reading the recommendation
and comments into the record. The Department of Planning Services recommends approval of this
application with the attached conditions of approval and development standards.
Evan Pinkham, Public Works, reported on the existing traffic and access to the site.
Hayley Balzano, Engineering, reported on the drainage conditions for the site.
Ben Frissell, Environmental Health, reviewed the public water and sanitary sewer requirements,
on -site dust control, and the Waste Handling Plan.
Doug Dennison, Bill Barrett Corporation, 33105 CR 33, Greeley, Colorado, stated that staff did a
good job explaining the project and added that he is here to answer any questions.
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Commissioner Johnson asked what kind of erosion control they are planning since it is sandy soil. Mr.
Dennison said that it was reclaimed once and added that they will have a field wide stormwater
management plan. He added that before construction all the necessary best management practices,
like erosion socks will be installed. Because of sandy soils, when they disturb the ground they reseed
to stabilize the site because the wind and lack of water is a problem.
The Chair asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this
application. No one wished to speak.
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 USR17-0057 to the Board of County Commissioners along with the
Conditions of Approval and Development Standards with the Planning Commissions recommendation
of approval, Moved by Jordan Jemiola, Seconded by Tom Cope.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 8).
Yes: Bruce Johnson, Bruce Sparrow, Gene Stille, Jordan Jemiola, Lonnie Ford, Michael Wailes, Terry
Cross, Tom Cope.
CASE NUMBER: 1MJUSR17-15-0019
APPLICANT: ANNE BACKSTROM, CIO COMMUNITY POWER GROUP
PLANNER: Chris Gathman
REQUEST: A Major Amendment to a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit
No. USR15-0019 (a Kennel up to 35 dogs) to include a Small -Scale Solar
Facility in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT C REC EXEMPT RECX11-0014; PART NW4 SECTION 9, T3N, R66W of
the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado.
LOCATION: South of and adjacent to CR 36 and East of and adjacent to CR 29.
Chris Gathman, Planning Services, presented Case 1MJUSR17-15-0019, reading the
recommendation and comments into the record. Mr. Gathman noted that the referral from the
Colorado Parks and Wildlife stated that the proposed amended USR is located in close proximity to an
active Red Tail Hawk Nest or nests in the area and recommends no surface encroachment within one-
third of a mile or 1760 feet of the hawk nests. Mr. Gathman stated that in looking at their referral and
the map they provided the location of the hawk nests, as identified on the map, appears to be located
over 2000 feet from the existing kennel facility and even further from the solar facility. The Department
of Planning Services recommends approval of this application with the attached conditions of approval
and development standards.
Evan Pinkham, Public Works, reported on the existing traffic and access to the site.
Hayley Balzano, Engineering, reported on the drainage conditions for the site.
Lauren Light, Environmental Health, reviewed the public water and sanitary sewer requirements,
on -site dust control, and the Waste Handling Plan.
Mr. Gathman referred to Condition of Approval 1.C for a Screening Plan and said that included in
the solar standards in the Weld County Code is a specific Section that states "Landscaping is
extremely important for enhancing the quality of development in the area. Trees, shrubs and other
plantings add greatly to the aesthetic appeal while reducing glare. As no single landscaping plan can
be prescribed for all development due to differing land features, topography and soils, these guidelines
encourage flexible and creative landscape designs. Landscaping/screening shall include at a
minimum: decorative fencing, berming and/or vegetation such the facilities aesthetically pleasing as
viewed from adjacent properties and rights -of -way." Mr. Gathman noted that when he visited the site,
it appeared based on the location of the facility, that it would be visible from the nearest residence to
the north. Therefore, that specific condition of approval was included in the staff report.
Commissioner Sparrow asked staff to explain the classification of the small, medium and large solar
facilities. Mr. Gathman provided a definition of the small, medium and large scale solar facilities. The
small scale solar facilities do not include a specific kilowatt amount in the definition.
Commissioner Stille recalled the recent code changes as well and given the small nature of the facility
asked why this wouldnt be a use by right. Mr. Gathman said that this request isnt just for a property
owner for personal use. He added that is for electricity that would be available to landowners off site,
such as a public utility.
Jacob Bobrow, 4849 Rugby Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, stated that the economics on the project
are tight and the screening requirements could impact the ability to fully execute the project. However,
he noted that the screening required will just be on the north side facing the adjacent property and if
they can use fence as screening then that will work for them.
The Chair asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this
application. No one wished to speak.
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 1MJUSR17-15-0019 to the Board of County Commissioners along with the
Conditions of Approval and Development Standards with the Planning Commissions recommendation
of approval, Moved by Jordan Jemiola, Seconded by Gene Stille.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 8).
Yes: Bruce Johnson, Bruce Sparrow, Gene Stille, Jordan Jemiola, Lonnie Ford, Michael Wailes, Terry
Cross, Tom Cope.
The Chair asked the public if there were other items of business that they would like to discuss. No
one wished to speak.
The Chair asked the Planning Commission members if there was any new business to discuss.
Commissioner Sparrow said that in this case there is a landowner harvesting energy, not totally
different than a farmer plants one acre of corn as you capture energy with the corn. He asked why the
county gets involved in a one acre solar facility. Mr. Gathman said that according to the definition of
small scale solar facility reads "This designation shall not include roof and/or ground mounted solar
systems located on permitted principle and accessory buildings and designed to supply power to the
principle uses on site." Mr. Gathman said that the difference is if its serving the house or something on
the property then that is not considered small scale solar. However, in this case the intent is to provide
power to users off -site and that falls into the small scale solar facility.
Commissioner Johnson agreed with staff and said that the primary purpose is the underlying question.
This type of operation, although it is small, the primary purpose is not for personal use but rather for
investment income and is more of a commercial activity.
Commissioner Jemiola asked if the applicant had connected to the facility for their personal residence
and the excess would be sent to Xcel Energy, would that be classified as a use by right. Mr. Gathman
said that they would have to review that. Mr. Jemiola believes that it would be a use by right, based on
the definition of the Code. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners re-examine the small
scale solar facility.
Meeting adjourned at 1:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
�.71.166ru. �n.
Kristine Ranslem
Secretary
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