County hears hours of public comment, agency reports on proposed Sundance Solar and battery project

Elbert County planning staff recommended the Board of County Commissioners approve both a major 10‑41 permit (case 2024‑1310) and a Special Use by Review (SUR2024‑0028) for the proposed Sundance Solar and battery energy storage facility, but commissioners recessed the hearing after extended presentations and public comment and did not issue final votes on either application during the session.

Jennifer Jones, planning manager with the Elbert County Planning Department, presented the applications and staff findings. Jones said the proposed site lies at the southeast corner of Kiowa‑Bennett Road and County Road 154, is about 1,100 acres of land currently zoned Agriculture, and includes a development footprint of roughly 600 acres. The project would locate solar arrays, an on‑site substation and up to 50 megawatts of battery energy storage (BESS) with up to 74.9 megawatts of solar generation; Jones said a corresponding road‑use agreement and development agreement would be required and were being finalized as recommended conditions of approval.

Cypress Creek Renewables representatives presented the project. Peter Moritz Burke, vice president of development for the company’s western region, said Cypress Creek expects the project to generate local tax revenue and community contributions including scholarships and a community working group. Senior project developer Zach Bartholomew described technical details: tracking solar arrays with a maximum panel height of about 15 feet when fully tilted, containerized battery units with a…