Memorandum
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Scott DeLeon, Interim Community Development Director
Mark Roberts, Principal Planner
DATE: February 24, 2020
SUBJECT: Major Use Permit, UP 19-05
Initial Study, IS 19-09
Supervisor District Five (5)
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Description Packet
3. Proposed Site Plans and Conditions of Approval
4. Initial Study, IS 19-09
5. Agency Comments/Concerns
6. Public Comments/Concerns
I. PROJECT SUMMARY
The applicant is requesting approval of a Major Use Permit to allow for the development of a small-scale bioenergy production facility using the Artis System. This system has no open flame components and is a sealed system which uses programmable electric heaters to achieve optimal temperatures.
Once the biomass enters the system, the biomass is then heated to a level that reduces the biomass to a gas known as Syngas and a solid byproduct known as Biochar. The core of the system is the proprietary hybrid pyrolysis and gasification unit that includes a configurable system controller, feed delivery management, feed lock hopper and gas management. The system is able to be programmed to introduce a controlled amount of steam depending on the moisture content of the Syngas or the moisture content of the feedstock. Steam may be employed to assist in the conversion of Biochar to Syngas if the user prefers more Syngas and less, or no Biochar. The Syngas is processed through a series of heat exchangers, hydrocarbon crackers and particulate filters before being delivered to the generator.
The proposed use would occur within a 2,000-square enclosed structure on a 40' x 50' six-inch thick concrete pad. The sides of the metal building will be 10' high and there will be two 18'-wide roll-up doors and one pedestrian entrance. The roll-up doors will be located on the west and east sides of the building; the pedestrian entrance on the east side. An "A" frame metal roof with a center...
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