Title
Establishment of the Tava Mountain Energy Storage Facility Planned Development Land Use Plan consisting of 4.49 acres located at 1133 S Royer Street. (Second Reading and Public Hearing) (Quasi-judicial)
Related Files: N/A
Located in Council District Three (3)
This application is in association with the Tava Mountain Energy Storage Facility zone change which had the first reading setting a hearing date on June 10th, 2025.
Presenter:
Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Director, Planning Department
Body
Summary:
Owner: C & M Enterprise LLC
Developer: esVolta Development LLC
Representative: Chris Beasley
Location: 1133 South Royer Street
The Zoning Map Amendment and Land Use Plan are to allow for the eventual redevelopment of subject parcel as a Energy Storage Facility. These facilities are considered a Major Utility per UDC Chapter Seven (7) which are only permitted in the Public Facility (PF) zone district. By pursuing a Planned Development Zone (PDZ) they can allow for the interim continuation of the existing land use while preparing for future redevelopment of the property as an Energy Storage Facility. The related Land Use Plan illustrates the preliminary plans for redevelopment of the site and the proposed Community Benefits which are a requirement of the Planned Development Zone (PDZ).
Background:
Please see the attached City Planning Commission Staff Report for a complete analysis of the proposed applications.
Review Criteria:
The review criteria for Land Use Plan as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.514 (UDC) are noted below:
1. Consistency with the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan and other plans and policies adopted by City Council
2. Consistency with development standards the zone district in which the property is located, or would be located after a requested zone district change;
3. Compatibility with the land uses and development intensities surrounding the property;
4. Impacts of the permitted or requested uses, appropriate to the type of development, the neighborhood, and the community;
5. Adequacy of proposed ingress/egress points and traffic circulation, both on and off the site;
6. Capacity of the existing streets, utilities, parks, schools, and other public facilities to serve the proposed development;
7. Promotion of transitions in height, intensity, or character between proposed non-residential or mixed-use development and nearby low-density residential zone districts.
Staff finds that the proposed applications meet the review criteria.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
City Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to approve the Tava Mountain Zone Map Amendment and the Tava Mountain Land Use Plan at the May 14th, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Cecil voted in opposition of these applications due to safety and health concerns with the battery storage use, and due to finding the Applicant’s responses to questions asked during the hearing to be unsatisfactory.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motions:
PDZL-25-0002 - Land Use Plan
Should the City Council wish to approve the Land Use Plan application, the following motion is suggested:
Approve the Tava Mountain Battery Energy Storage Land Use Plan based upon the findings that the proposal complies with the review criteria for Land Use Plans as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.514.
Should the City Council wish to deny the Land Use Plan application, the following motion is suggested:
Deny the Tava Mountain Battery Energy Storage Land Use Plan based upon the findings that the proposal complies with the review criteria for Land Use Plans as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.514.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A