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Planning commission approves eight 60-meter MET towers to study wind potential south of Meteor Crater
Summary
The commission approved CUP24044 to allow eight 60-meter meteorological (MET) towers on private ranchland south of Meteor Crater for an eight-year period; applicant AES Corp. agreed to conditions including bird diverters on guy wires and an eight-year permit term.
The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 4 approved Conditional Use Permit CUP24044 for eight 60-meter meteorological towers to study wind resources on private ranchland south of Meteor Crater.
Bob Short, county planner, said the application covers a 16-acre portion of six parcels owned by Creator Ranch LLC and Flying Elm Ranch LLLP in the Hapijack area; the parcels in total exceed 36,000 acres, and each MET tower footprint is about two acres. The towers are 197 feet, 8.25 inches (60 meters) tall, under 200 feet so the FAA does not require lighting, and staff recommended an initial four-year term with an option the applicant requested to extend for another four years — the commission approved an eight-year permit term.
Jill Graham, the applicant representative for AES Corporation, told the commission that AES had reviewed the conditions and agreed with them. Rob Gardner, an AES project representative, said on the record that "these MET towers are all sited on private property, and the nearest non-participating land ownership is further than the 60 meter height of the towers," addressing a commissioner question about the potential for a fallen tower to impact adjacent land.
Staff noted the remote locations and said the neighborhood meeting requirement had been waived; the Arizona State Land Department, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Hopi Tribe were notified. Staff also noted that bird diverters would be installed on guy wires to reduce wildlife impacts and that no public comments were received by staff on the application.
Commission discussion touched on visibility from highways and the towers' isolated siting. Commissioner Ruggles reported a site visit and said visibility can be subjective, but overall commissioners agreed the towers were sited on large ranch parcels and would have low visual impact. Commissioner Wilson asked whether the eight-year authorization was included in the approval; staff confirmed the commission's action established an eight-year approval term.
Commissioner Ruggles moved to approve CUP24044 and Commissioner Best seconded. The commission voted unanimously (Ruggles, Best, Williams, Tovey, Walsh, Wilson and Chair Burton voted "aye"). The motion passed and staff will monitor compliance with the permit conditions.
