Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20182705.tiffHEARING CERTIFICATION DOCKET NO. 2018-88 RE: A SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT, USR18-0041, FOR A SMALL SCALE SOLAR FACILITY (2MW) IN THE A (AGRICULTURAL) ZONE DISTRICT - COLORADO STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS, CIO PLATTEVILLE SOLAR CSG, LLC A public hearing was conducted on September 5, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present: Commissioner Steve Moreno, Chair Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro-Tem Commissioner Sean P. Conway Commissioner Julie A. Cozad Commissioner Mike Freeman Also present: Acting Clerk to the Board, Selena Baltierra Assistant County Attorney, Frank Haug Planning Services Department representative, Michael Hall Public Works Engineer representative, Evan Pinkham Health Department representative, Lauren Light The following business was transacted: a. I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated July 27, 2018, and duly published August 1, 2018, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted to consider the request of Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, do Platteville Solar CSG, LLC, for a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR18-0041, for a Small Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. Frank Haug, Assistant County Attorney, made this a matter of record. rtmi Michael Hall, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the proposal and stated the site is approximately 9.75 acres of a temporary leasehold parcel which is being permitted under Subdivision Exemption, SUBX18-0020. He explained Platteville Solar CSG, LLC, will lease the parcel from the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, and the lease period is 30 years. Mr. Hall described the Solar Facility to include approximately 63 rows of solar panels, associated equipment, and a storage container. He stated the facility will be unmanned and there are no water or sewage services proposed. He mentioned during the two (2) to five (5) month construction period, there will be approximately four (4) to six (6) people onsite and portable toilets and bottled water will be utilized. He indicated the proposed site will produce energy during daylight hours and once operations begin there will be one (1) to two (2) people onsite once a month for routine maintenance and inspection. Mr. Hall stated no outdoor storage will be allowed and a new access from County Road (CR) 31 is being proposed by the applicant. He described the entrance gate and fencing that will surround the property. He mentioned there is no lighting or signage proposed and the site will be reclaimed and returned to agricultural uses once the solar facility is decommissioned. Mr. Hall stated the notice was sent to ten (10) surrounding property owners (SPO) within 500 feet of the USR boundary and no responses were received. He indicated 12 referrals were sent out and ten (10) responses were recieved with no concerns Q�'.PLITP I MFt�� PW (Ea), eRLO CTB (rs/sr3> q 12.-1I1% 2018-2705 PL2415 HEARING CERTIFICATION - COLORADO STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS, C/O PLATTEVILLE SOLAR CSG, LLC (USR18-0041) PAGE 2 or with comments that were considered in the staff recommendation. Mr. Hall stated the site is located within the three (3) mile referral area of the Town of Platteville; however, it is not located in a Regional Urbanization Area or other Intergovernmental Agreement boundary. He presented a vicinity map of the proposed site, which is located north of and adjacent to CR 32 and west of and adjacent to CR 31. Mr. Hall stated the site is not located in the Airport Overlay District, Geological Hazard Overlay, floodplain or MS4 area. He described surrounding uses to include several Use by Special Review (USR) permits located within one (1) mile of the site. He displayed images of the proposed site and showed the transmission lines tied to the site. He pointed out the Morning Fresh Egg Farm located directly east of the site. He stated there are no existing accesses and indicated the remaining part of the parent parcel, that is not included in the solar site, will continue being used for hay production. He pointed out where the access would be located, provided other images of the site and surrounding views, and entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record as written. EIn response to Commissioner Cozad, Mr. Hall stated although there is an existing solar facility on the parent parcel, it is for a different operator and negates the possibility of amending that USR Permit to include this facility. El Evan Pinkham, Public Works Engineer representative, provided a brief overview of the transportation plans and requirements and stated the current access is onto CR 31; however, the applicant has requested a new access location and Public Works is in agreement. He stated traffic is minimal and provided traffic counts to include truck percentages. Mr. Pinkham mentioned the applicant proposed 24 daily round trips during construction and less than one (1) per day thereafter. He stated there is a Condition of Approval (COA) for a Road Maintenance Agreement and the applicant meets an exception for drainage. Mr. Pinkham stated a Weld County Grading Permit will be required if they disturb more than an acre, and an Erosion Control Plan and Revegetation Plan is required prior to recording the USR map. I' Lauren Light, Department of Public Health and Environment, stated portable toilets will be utilized during construction, and Development Standardd (DS) #16-20 address Environmental Health items. a Jonathan Moore represented the applicant and stated the State Board of Land Commissioners has been a good ally during the projects, even with a co -location. He stated they have no concerns with the site being isolated and he discussed some small issues they have had to overcome. 2 No public testimony was offered concerning this matter. E, In response to Chair Moreno, Mr. Moore indicated no concerns with the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards. In response to Commissioner Cozad regarding COA #1.C, Mr. Hall agreed to change the language to state: "The applicant shall attempt to address the requirements (concerns) of 2018-2705 PL2415 HEARING CERTIFICATION - COLORADO STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS, C/O PLATTEVILLE SOLAR CSG, LLC (USR18-0041) PAGE 3 Colorado Parks and Wildlife,..."Commissioner Cozad further suggested removing COA #1.G and Development Standard #13 regarding a Road Maintenance Agreement, and DS #11 regarding parking. The Board discussed a new DS #6 to require maintaining the site as stipulated in the Erosion Control and Revegetation Plan. Commissioner Cozad suggested adding COA #4.8 regarding dust suppression. After further discussion, the Board and staff agreed to all of the amendments. a, In response to Chair Moreno, Mr. Moore indicated they have reviewed, and agree to abide by, the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. a Commissioner Cozad moved to approve the request of Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, c/o Platteville Solar CSG, LLC, for a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR18-0041, for a Small Scale Solar Facility (2MW) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based on the recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards as amended and entered into the record. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway. In response to Commissioner Conway, Mr. Moore confirmed the applicant still has to go before the State Land Board before the application can be approved. There being no further discussion, the vote carried unanimously and the hearing was completed at 11:10 a.m. This Certification was approved on the 10th day of September, 2018. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: C/ t-dito'ok. Weld County Clerk to the Board BY: CE06{NQL Deputy Clerk APP Attorney Date of signature: Mike Freeman St ve Moreno, Chai arbara Kirkme r, P ro-Te r 2018-2705 PL2415 ATTENDANCE LIST -S-Ic6 NAME -'PLEASE. PRINT LEGIBLY ADDZIP)RESS (CITY, STATE -EMAIL • COUNTY OF RESIDENCE SPEAKING =; ." AWN)? ' rkecl 3cal h e(o/ 6392 S7°11 -/(g71 /non-/. n h /0gh-ee(o(. OAP,ygl,cy 3.N,�ri.,..,, wk., le -toe-., c w,,,,,..,, �n.0 €.1) L�.e,t o,,.-. Terecc t�,°1-nwt. �'`'7 .JON A -n -M.- VVIor) LI1 53.90 ie-"5?tu- '� so 1165 i3O,.,1„,t..'s , ( r) \ J j5\ �t�t2� �j(iaL�5 �33L�r e�SA_`penveL,Co.8oaa3 �o�i �,ttis ,'""ay sv[ai„-irc.o.�-, T� nve. ( op of . ce_ 1G,'rve, 7(4 &towd0oy1 p/��, y�D e d/�/rr- /VO �1KCHA(LA \nnrn 3(11<34 CE 21 Crrore,(Co (.c.�C t.oceoo9owasn•Ca,- beteeQ `IeS Hello