Sundance Solar hearing draws heavy public comment on fire, traffic and water; BOCC recesses to continue review

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners on May 14 opened public hearings on the Sundance Solar project — a proposed solar and battery storage facility proposed for land at the southeast corner of Kiowa Bennett Road and County Road 154. The Board recessed the meeting until May 15 after multiple hours of staff presentations, a developer presentation and extensive public comment.

Jennifer Jones, planning manager with Elbert County, summarized the applications: a major 1041 permit and a special use by review for a solar facility with up to 74.9 megawatts of solar generation and 50 megawatts of battery storage (four-hour duration, ~200 megawatt-hours). The overall property under option covers roughly 1,119 acres with a project footprint of approximately 603 acres; the panels and battery storage would be sited adjacent to an existing Kiowa 115-kV substation, Jones said.

Jones said staff recommended approval of both the 1041 and the SUR with conditions. Key recommended conditions include a road use agreement and development agreement to address construction impacts, a decommissioning financial security (bond or irrevocable letter of credit) to cover decommissioning costs for the life of the facility, and recordation of exhibits and required fees within 180 days. Jones noted the Board’s 1041 regulations require the applicant to post financial security adequate for the project’s lifespan.

The Planning Commission previously recommended denial of both applications by votes of…