Platte County approves temporary MET station permit and an extension for a second project

Platte County commissioners voted to approve two temporary meteorological (MET) station actions during their meeting: a special-use permit for a proposed Geronimo Power MET station and a two-year extension for an existing NextEra/Chubbwater mobile MET station that had been operating under an earlier temporary permit.

Planner (Speaker 9) described the Geronimo application for a temporary MET station at Old Wheatland Highway and East Johnson Road and said the planning and zoning commission recommended approval with six conditions, including a 24-month duration, a requirement to provide GPS coordinates once the station is installed, and a requirement that any permanent MET station would require a new special-use permit. Speaker 10, representing the applicant, said the MET station “is less than 9 feet above ground and uses solar power and battery” and that no permanent grading or foundation would be needed.

After public questions about fencing, equipment size and data use, Speaker 1 moved to approve the Geronimo special-use permit and Speaker 2 seconded. Chair (Speaker 3) called for the vote; commissioners voiced approval and the motion carried.

The board also considered a separate request from NextEra/Chubbwater to extend the term on an existing temporary MET station. Planning staff said the original permit allowed a limited duration and that the county attorney advised no new public advertisement was required for the extension. Staff described the extension request as intended to allow the company to collect up to three years of meteorological data to inform final site design and interconnection planning. Commissioner (Speaker 5) moved to approve a two-year extension; the motion carried by voice vote.

Both approvals were described by staff as temporary and limited actions: planners said that if a company later sought a permanent MET station or a different site, a new application and full review would be required. The planning conditions for the Geronimo permit included a requirement that the temporary station be installed within six months of approval and that GPS coordinates be supplied to the planning office upon installation.

The actions were procedural approvals of permits and extensions; commissioners did not impose additional technical conditions beyond those recommended by the planning commission and described by staff.

What’s next: the Geronimo installation must meet the planning conditions (including GPS notification and the 24-month limit); if a permanent MET station or a permanent facility is proposed, the county said a separate special-use permit will be required.