Arapahoe County planning commission recommends rezoning Lowry parcel for 5-megawatt community solar

The Arapahoe County Planning Commission on Feb. 18 unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow a proposed 5-megawatt community solar facility on a 56.7-acre parcel owned by the Lowry Environmental Protection Cleanup Trust Fund.

Molly Orchid Larson, principal planner with the Arapahoe County Public Works Department, told commissioners the application (case CZ24-001) requests a conventional rezoning from MU (mixed use) to A-1 (agricultural) so the site can host a small solar facility. Larson said, "based on the findings of the staff report, staff is recommending approval for the conventional rezoning of this property," and noted one condition: the applicant must address all staff comments prior to signature of final documents.

The move to rezone the parcel at the northwest corner of East Quincy Avenue and South Gun Club Road was presented by Beau Scott, identified as the development manager for Sonshare LLC. Scott said the parcel "is currently zoned as mixed use" and described the company’s intent to develop a community solar array that would interconnect to nearby distribution infrastructure; he said a 5-megawatt site would serve roughly 1,200 to 1,400 subscriptions, open first to customers of the local utility.

Why it matters: the parcel is one of five owned by the Lowry Trust and serves as a buffer to the Lowry landfill and the Lowry Superfund area. Planning staff said the rezoning would bring continuity to the trust parcels and is consistent with the Lowry Trust master plan and the Arapahoe County comprehensive plan, both of which identify renewable energy generation as an allowed or compatible use in this context.

Commissioners and staff reviewed technical and public-notice issues. Larson said referrals produced no substantive objections and no written public comments were received. A neighborhood meeting held Nov. 15, 2023, drew no attendees, the staff presentation said. Buckley (airport authority) reviewed glare and reflection and provided no comments of concern, Larson said; the county will re-refer a future land-use application for the solar facility to agencies including Buckley and CDOT for any additional input.

Commissioners asked about downstream matters that will be considered if the rezoning is approved. Scott and staff clarified the rezoning itself does not approve project construction: the solar array would require a subsequent land-use permit and additional reviews, including any interconnection work and traffic or right-of-way impacts. Scott said Sunshare (presenter used both "Sonshare LLC" and "Sunshare" in the record) anticipates paying for upgrades to the Smoky Hill substation and related distribution work as part of project build-out.

Several technical details noted during the hearing: the site is adjacent to E-470 to the west and the Smoky Hill Substation is about a mile south; the site’s historic uses include dry farming or grazing; and Arapahoe County code restricts small solar facilities to certain zones, which is the reason for the A-1 rezoning request.

Commissioner Latsis moved to recommend approval, saying the parcels are a good use for buffer zones and raise "no major impacts or traffic concerns." Latsis read the motion: "I reviewed the staff report including all exhibits and attachments and have listened to the applicant's presentation and any public comment as presented at the hearing and hereby move to recommend approval of this application based on the findings in the staff report subject to condition 1." Commissioner Morehouse seconded. The roll call vote was 6-0 in favor, with Commissioner Saul absent and excused.

Next steps: the rezoning recommendation was adopted by the commission and recorded on the meeting record; the applicant must still address staff comments and, if rezoning is approved through the county process, would need to return with a land-use permit application for the proposed small solar facility. The commission did not take final action on any construction permits at the meeting.

At the end of the hearing staff announced upcoming planning commission meetings and a March 18 minor subdivision application that will be heard in the East Hearing Room.