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ITEM #: 13.
DATE: 08/31/2026
AI #:3329

CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT

SUBJECT:

RESOLUTION APPROVING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DESERT RAINBOW SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION FACILITY

STAFF PRESENTER(S):

Ann Dolmage, Principal Planner

OTHER PRESENTER(S):

Andrew Yancey; Bergin, Frakes, Smalley & Oberholtzer

SUMMARY

Request for a Special Use Permit for Desert Rainbow, a utility-scale solar energy generation facility, including accessory Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), on approximately 5,050 acres zoned Preliminary Planned Area Development (PAD), located south of Queen Creek Road and east of Waterman Wash.

STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt Resolution No. 2026-2537 Approving the Special Use Permit for an Energy Generation Facility with an accessory use of a battery energy storage system located on approximately 5,050 acres generally extending north to south from the Queen Creek Road alignment to the Patterson Road alignment, and west to east from Waterman Wash to the 139th Avenue alignment. (Ann Dolmage, Principal Planner)

STIPULATIONS

The complete list of stipulations is contained within Resolution No. 2026-2537, included as Attachment A.

FISCAL IMPACT

A fiscal impact analysis has been conducted for Desert Rainbow, the utility-scale solar energy generation facility on approximately 5,050 acres (“the Project”), by the applicant. The applicant’s analysis estimates that the solar component of the Project will generate approximately $42.9 million in direct tax revenues and $10,046 in indirect tax revenues to the city of Goodyear over a thirty (30)-year period. In addition, the BESS component will generate an estimated $15.5 million in direct tax revenues and $4,952 in indirect tax revenues to the city of Goodyear over a fifteen (15)-year period. The development is responsible for construction of all infrastructure necessary to serve the site and will generate one-time revenue for the city through payment of permits, construction sales tax, and development impact fees. Any areas that will be maintained by the city are constructed by the developer and then conveyed to the city two years after construction.

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS

On August 19, 2026, the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission held a public hearing for this item. During the staff presentation, staff recommended that the P&Z Commission forward a recommendation of approval for the Special Use Permit (SUP) to the Council, with minor modifications to stipulations 7, 11, and 19.c.ii., which are reflected in the Resolution (Attachment A). Following the staff presentation, the applicant also provided a presentation.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, one Maricopa County/Buckeye-area resident spoke in opposition to the SUP, citing concerns such as a lack of direct benefit to Goodyear and Buckeye residents. After the public hearing, the P&Z Commission asked questions and discussed topics including future development, facility operations, and benefits to Goodyear.

Following their discussion, the P&Z Commission voted 6–0 to recommend approval, subject to the proposed stipulations outlined in the Resolution (Attachment A).

A Public Hearing notice for the Council Meeting was published in the Arizona Business Gazette - Republic Edition on July 31, 2026, at least 15 days prior to the meeting. Postcards were mailed to 240 addresses, including adjoining owners located within one (1) mile of the Property and external agencies on July 24, 2026. Additionally, signs were posted/updated on the site on August 3, 2026.

Additional details regarding the previous actions are provided in the P&Z Commission Staff Report, included as Attachment G.

STAFF ANALYSIS

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-2537 (Attachment A), consistent with the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation.

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