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Michael Hall
USR18-0041
LAND USE APPLICATION
SUMMARY SHEET
Hearing Date: August 21, 2018
The Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners
do Page Bolin, Renewable Energy Program Manager
(1127 Sherman Street, Suite 300, Denver CO 80203)
Community Energy Solar Development, LLC dba Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
c/o Eric Blank and Tyson Taylor
(1120 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302)
A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small
Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
Subdivision Exemption SUBX18-0020; being part of the NE4 of Section 16, T3N,
R63W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, CO
North of and adjacent to County Road 32; west of and adjacent to County Road 31
+/- 9.75 acres
+/- 560 acres
Parcel No. 1211-16-0-00-001
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 referral responses with comments from the
following agencies:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, referral dated May 29, 2018
Y Weld County Department of Public Works, referral dated June 4, 2018
Y Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, referral dated May 21, 2018
The Department of Planning Services' staff has received referral responses without comments from the
following agencies:
Y Town of Platteville referral dated May 22, 2018
Y RE -1 School District, referral dated May 3, 2018
Y Weld County Sheriff's Office, referral dated May 11, 2018
Y Weld County Zoning Compliance, referral dated May 8, 2018
Y Central Weld County Water District, referral dated May 18, 2018
Y Platteville-Gilcrest Fire Protection District, referral dated May 8, 2018
Y Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, referral dated July 22, 2018
The Department of Planning Services' staff has not received responses from the following agencies:
Y Platte Valley Conservation District
Y Weld County Department of Building Inspection
USR18-0041- Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
Page 1 of 9
Planner:
Case Number:
Owner:
Representative:
Michael Hall
USR18-0041
SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Hearing Date: August 21, 2018
The Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners
c/o Page Bolin, Renewable Energy Program Manager
(1127 Sherman Street, Suite 300, Denver CO 80203)
Community Energy Solar Development, LLC dba Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
c/a Eric Blank and Tyson Taylor
(1120 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302)
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small
Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
Legal
Description:
Subdivision Exemption SUBX18-0020; being part of the NE4 of Section 16, T3N,
R63W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, CO
Location: North of and adjacent to County Road 32: west of and adjacent to County Road 31
Size of SUBX Parcel: +/- 9.75 acres Parcel No. 1211-16-0-00-001
Size of Parent Parcel: +/- 560 acres
Case Summary:
Platteville Solar CSG, LLC is requesting a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review
Permit for a Small Scale Solar Facility (2MW DC) on an approximately 9.75 temporary leasehold parcel
for a solar facility (pending Subdivision Exemption SUBX18-0020) located in the northeastern portion of
the parent parcel.
The parent parcel is approximately 560 acres and contains an existing 2 MW solar facility located in the
north -central portion of the parent parcel, permitted by USR15-0076 and operated by Clean Energy
Collective. If USR18-0041 is approved, USR15-0076 will be partially vacated to remove its boundary from
the SUBX18-0020 and USR18-0041 boundary. Proposed improvements include approximately sixty-three
(63) rows of rack -mounted solar panels arrays in addition to a concrete pad and transformer pad that
supports switchgear, meters, transformer, inverter, disconnects, monitoring equipment and a storage
container that will contain equipment spare parts, modules and maintenance equipment. Power will be
delivered from the solar facility's transformer to the existing 13.2 kV Xcel distribution lines on the east side
of County Road 31 via bored underground lines which will require a right-of-way permit.
The facility is unmanned and no water or sewage disposal service is proposed. The lease period is 30 -
years. During the construction phase, there will be four to six (4-6) workers at the site for four to five (4-5)
months. Bottled water, handwashing units and portable toilets will be provided during construction. Once
in operation, the site will produce energy during daylight hours and one to two (1-2) workers will perform
routine maintenance and inspection approximately once a month. One twenty -foot (20') wide access road
is requested from County Road 31. An eight -foot (8') tall decorative perimeter fence with six-inch (6")
square galvanized metal mesh and timber posts is proposed around the facility including a matching
swing gate. When the panel arrays are horizontal, they will not project over the fence. When the panels
are fully rotated, approximately thirteen inches (13") of the panels will project over the fence. No lighting
or signage is proposed. The site is currently dryland pasture. When the use is decommissioned, the site
will be reclaimed by disconnecting and removing the panels, racks, equipment, and concrete pads and
stabilization of the disturbed areas with seeding and mulching.
USR18-0041- Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
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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.
Section 22-5-130 states, "Due to the volatility of traditional energy resources, the County
supports and encourages development and use of alternative energy resources.
Alternative energy sources do not replace the traditional sources of energy; rather,
expanding global energy demands require a "new energy economy" that supports and
enhances traditional sources of energy."
Solar energy is an alternative energy source, adding variety, stability and enhancing the
existing electrical grid. Traditional energy resources, being primarily fossil fuel extraction,
is often tied to market demand and can vary in output and need. Solar energy can offset,
buffer and complement some of the fluctuating oil and gas activity.
Section 22-5-140.A.5 - AE.Palicy 1.5. states, "Support the development and use of solar
energy."
This development is a solar facility which allows for the collection and use of solar
energy.
Section 22-5-160. - A. UR.Goal 1. states, "Support and encourage the use of natural and
other resources available in the County by the residents of the County. 1. UR.Policy 1.1.
Support the development of power -generating facilities in the County that benefit the
residents of the County and employ the resources extracted, developed or available in
the County."
The project adds another power -generating facility to Weld County which supports the
growing energy needs of Weld County residents and is located near Highway 85 and
central Weld County municipalities such as Gilcrest and Platteville which is rapidly
developing area with commercial, industrial and residential uses.
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, "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."
Section 23-3-40.NN. - Uses by special review, of the Weld County Code allows, "Small
Scale Solar Facility." Based on this, the use may be permitted by a USR in the A
(Agricultural) zone district. The small scale solar is a non -permanent and regulated use of
land and is consistent with 23-3-10 as the use is more intense than a use by right.
C. Section 23-2-220.A.3 -- The uses which will be permitted will be compatible with the
existing surrounding land uses.
The adjacent lands consist of commercial agriculture, oil and gas, and solar facilities. The
proposed use is in an area that can support this development and existing overhead
electrical lines adjacent to the subject property allow connection of the facility to the grid.
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The Weld County Department of Planning Services sent notice to ten (10) surrounding
property owners. No responses were received back. Of the ten (10) surrounding
properties that were notified, two (2) have residences located on them. The closest
residence is approximately 0.25 miles away. All of the adjacent lots are zoned A
(Agricultural). There are no subdivisions within a mile of the site and most of the nearby
lots are large metes and bounds parcels or have been created by the recorded
exemption process.
There are eleven (11) USRs within one mile of this site. USR15-0076 for a small scale
solar facility which is located on the subject parcel. USR-1236 for 230/345kV
transmission lines which is located on the subject parcel. USR-1363 for a commercial
egg farm, compost sales and wood grinding. USR-1083 for private radio towers. USR-
1578 for a community gathering facility. USR-1195 for a 5,000 cow dairy. AMUSR-1038
for an oil and gas production facility. USR-1756 for dog kennel. USR-1748 for a dog
kennel. USR15-0019 fora dog kennel. SUP -195 fora dog kennel.
The Improvements Agreement, Conditions of Approval and Development Standards will
assist in mitigating the impacts of the solar facility on the adjacent properties and ensure
compatibility with surrounding land uses and the region. The proposed screening
includes an eight -foot (8') tall decorative perimeter fence with six-inch (6") square
galvanized metal mesh and timber posts around the solar facility which reduces the
visual impact to the area.
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.
This site is located within the three (3) mile referral area and Coordinated Planning
Agreement (CPA) boundary of the Town of Platteville. The Town of Platteville referral
response, dated May 22, 2018, indicated no concerns. Additionally, Platteville was
noticed as part of the pre -application process and the Town submitted a response to the
CPA Notice of Inquiry form with no concerns about the solar facility.
The site is not located in a Regional Urbanization Area (RUA) or Urban Growth Boundary
(UGB) of a municipality.
E. Section 23-2-220.A.5 -- The application complies with Chapter 23, Articles V and XI, of
the Weld County Code.
The site is not located within the Geologic Hazard Overlay, Special Flood Hazard Area,
A -P (Airport) Overlay District or MS4 area.
Building Permits issued on the lot will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the
County -Wide Road Impact Fee Program.
Building Permits issued on the proposed lot will be required to adhere to the fee structure
of the 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.
The parcel is located on soils designated as "Other" per the 1979 Soil Conservation
Service Important Farmlands of Weld County Map. The proposed use is temporary and
soils will not be unduly disturbed or removed from the property. After the lease period, the
land can be returned to agricultural production. The portion of the parent parcel that is not
encumbered by USR18-0041 and USR15-0076 will continue to be used for hay
USR18-0041- Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
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production. The portion of the property where the proposed solar facility will be located
does not have irrigation water.
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), Solar Facility Standards (Section 23-4-1030,
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 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.
The Department of Planning Services' staff recommendation for approval is conditional upon the following:
1. Prior to recording the map:
A. The Subdivision Exemption SUBX18-0020 plat shall be recorded.
B. There is a Use by Special Review Permit USR15-0076, reception #4254189, for a small scale
solar facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District on the parent parcel. A Partial
Vacation of USR15-0076 map shall be recorded in conjunction with USR18-0041.
C. The applicant shall address the requirements (concerns) of Colorado Parks and Wildlife as
stated in the referral response dated May 29, 2018. Evidence of such shall be submitted in
writing to the Weld County Department of Planning Services.
D. The applicant shall submit a Landscape and Screening Plan per Section 23-4-1030.C of the
Weld County Code for review and approval by the Department of Planning Services.
(Department of Planning Services)
E. The applicant shall submit a Property Maintenance Plan which shall address dust, noxious
weeds and erosion per Section 23-4-1030.H of the Weld County Code for review and
approval by the Department of Planning Services. (Department of Planning Services)
F. The applicant shall submit an Erosion Control Plan and a Vegetation Plan for review and
approval by the Department of Public Works. (Department of Public Works)
G. 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)
H. The map shall be amended to delineate the following:
1) All sheets of the map shall be labeled USR18-0040. (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) The map shall delineate the landscaping and screening on the site, in accordance
with Section 23-4-1030.C of the Weld County Code. (Department of Planning
Services)
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5) The map shall delineate the thirty -feet (30') setback from the boundary of adjacent
properties, irrigation ditches, and rights -of -way in which no equipment shall be
located, in accordance with Section 23-4-1030.G of the Weld County Code.
(Department of Planning Services)
6) If applicable, signs shall be shown on the map and shall adhere to Chapter 23, Article
IV, Division 2, Section 23-2-240.A.12 and Appendices 23-C, 23-D and 23-E of the
Weld County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
7) Show and label all recorded easements on the map by book and page number or
reception number and date on the site plan. (Department of Planning Services)
8) County Road 31 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 on the site plan the existing right-of-way. This
road is maintained by Weld County. (Department of Public Works)
9)
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)
10) 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)
11) The applicant shall show the drainage flow arrows. (Department of Public Works)
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 Board of County Commissioners Resolution. The applicant shall
be responsible for paying the recording fee. (Department of Planning Services)
3. In accordance with Weld County Code Ordinance #2012-3, approved April 30, 2012, 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 added
for each additional three (3) month period. (Department of Planning Services)
4. Prior to Construction:
A. If more than one (1) acre is to be disturbed, a Weld County Grading Permit will be required.
(Department of Public Works)
5. The Use by Special Review 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 Services)
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SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
USR18-0041
1. A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small Scale Solar
Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, 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 site shall be maintained in accordance with the Property Maintenance Plan and
Decommissioning Plan. (Department of Planning Services)
5. The site shall be maintained in accordance with the approved Landscape and Screening Plan.
(Department of Planning Services)
6. No outdoor storage of any materials and equipment including, but riot limited to, solar panels and
support structures not in operation will be allowed. All spare parts and equipment shall be located
within the storage container. (Department of Planning Services)
7. No equipment associated with the solar facility shall be located nearer than thirty -feet (30') to the
boundary of adjacent properties, irrigation ditches and/or rights -of -way. (Department of Planning
Services)
8. 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)
9. The property owner shall control noxious weeds on the site. (Department of Public Works)
10. The access on the site shall be maintained to mitigate any impacts to the public road including
damages and/or off -site tracking. (Department of Public Works)
11. There shall be no parking or staging of vehicles on public roads. On -site parking shall be utilized.
(Department of Public Works)
12. 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)
13. The property owner shall comply with all requirements provided in the executed Road
Maintenance Agreement. (Department of Public Works)
14. The historical flow patterns and runoff amounts on the site will be maintained. (Department of
Public Works)
15. Weld County is not responsible for the maintenance of onsite drainage related features.
(Department of Public Works)
16. 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)
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17. 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)
18. 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. (Department of
Public Health and Environment)
19. 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)
20. 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)
21. A building permit may be required, per Section 29-3-10 of the Weld County Code. Currently the
following has been adopted by Weld County: 2012 International Codes; 2006 International
Energy Code; 2017 National Electrical Code; A building permit application must be completed
and two 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 registered State of Colorado engineer shall be required or an open hole inspection.
(Department of Building Inspection)
22. 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 private streets. No colored lights may
be used which may be confused with, or construed as, traffic control devices. (Department of
Planning Services)
23. 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 carried out on the property comply with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards stated herein and all applicable Weld County regulations.
24. 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.
25. The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with the Design and Operation
Standards of Chapter 23 of the Weld County Code.
26. 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.
27. 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.
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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.
28. 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, 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, sand burs, 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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July 23, 2018
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N 17th AVE
GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
E-MAIL: mhall@weldgov.com
PHONE: (970) 400-3528
FAX: (970) 304-6498
TAYLOR TYSON
1120 PEARL STREET
SUITE 200
BOULDER, CO 80302
Subject: USR18-0041 - A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small
Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
On parcel(s) of land described as:
SUBX18-0020, BEING PART OF THE NE4 SECTION 16, T3N, R66W of the 6th P.M., Weld County,
Colorado.
Dear Applicants:
I have scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Planning Commission on August 21, 2018, at 12:30
p.m. A subsequent hearing with the Board of County Commissioners will be held on September 5,
2018 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.weldcountyplanningcases.org
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
/ —7 ofr
Michael Hall 7
Planner
June 26, 2018
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N 17th AVE
GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
E-MAIL: mhall@weldgov.com
PHONE: (970) 400-3528
FAX: (970) 304-6498
TAYLOR TYSON
1120 PEARL ST STE 200
BOULDER, CO 80302
Subject: USR18-0041 - A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small
Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
On parcel(s) of land described as:
SUBX18-0020, BEING PART OF NE4 SECTION 16, T3N, R66W of the 6th P.M., Weld County,
Colorado.
Dear Applicants:
I have scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Planning Commission on August 7, 2018, at 12:30
p.m. A subsequent hearing with the Board of County Commissioners will be held on September 5,
2018 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.weldcountyplanningcases.org
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
i
Michael Hall
Planner
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N 17th AVE
GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
E-MAIL: mhall@weldgov.com
PHONE: (970) 400-3528
FAX: (970) 304-6498
May 02, 2018
TAYLOR TYSON
1120 PEARL ST STE 200
BOULDER, CO 80302
Subject: USR18-0041 - A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Small
Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
On parcel(s) of land described as:
N2/SE4/E2SW4 SECTION 16, T3N, R66W 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.
It is the policy of Weld County to refer an application of this nature to any town or municipality lying
within three miles of the property in question or if the property under consideration is located within the
comprehensive planning area of a town or municipality. Therefore, our office has forwarded a copy of
the submitted materials to the following Planning Departments for their review and comments:
Platteville at Phone Number 970-785-2245
It is recommended that you contact the listed Planning Departments for information regarding their
process and to answer any questions that might arise with respect to your application.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
Michael Hall
Planner
FIELD CHECK
Inspection Date: 8/9/2018
Case Number: USR18-0041
Owner: The Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners
c/o Page Bolin, Renewable Energy Program Manager
(1127 Sherman Street, Suite 300, Denver CO 80203)
Representative: Community Energy Solar Development, LLC dba Platteville Solar CSG, LLC
c/o Eric Blank and Tyson Taylor
(1120 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302)
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a
Small Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District.
Legal
Description:
Subdivision Exemption SUBX18-0020; being part of the NE4 of Section 16,
T3N, R63W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, CO
Location: North of and adjacent to County Road 32; west of and adjacent to
County Road 31
Size of SUBX
Parcel:
+/- 9.75 acres
Parcel No. 1211-16-0-00-001
Zoning
Land Use
N
A (Agricultural)
N
Agricultural / Solar Facility /
Oil and Gas
E
A (Agricultural)
E
Agricultural / Egg Farm /
Transmission Lines
S
A (Agricultural)
S
Agricultural
W
A (Agricultural)
W
Agricultural / Solar Facility /
Oil and Gas
COMMENTS:
The SUBX site is located west of CR 31 (gravel). There are no existing access points into the
site. The parcel is currently dryland hay. There are large transmission lines on the east portion
of the property, running in the north -south direction. No other improvements or uses were
observed. The land directly to the north and west is dryland and have oil and gas production
facilities (well heads and tank batteries) and there is an existing solar facility to the northwest.
The land to the south is dryland ag. The parcel to the east is the Morning Fresh egg farm.
Michael Hall, Planner
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