The Rochester Planning Board moved quickly in their meeting held on August 25 after the majority of public hearing applicants submitted requests to continue their proposal reviews until the next scheduled meeting.
The continuances included the hearings on the Cranberry Highway development, which still require work with the board’s review engineer before any progress can be made.
Sarah Stearns of Beals and Thomas Inc. came before the board to discuss the finalized plans for a proposed solar canopy over the canals located at the Eldredge Bogs. After numerous meetings, Stearns and the board were able to amend the plans according to the desires of both parties.
The new plans feature changes to the design structure of the proposed canals in order to more adequately generate power from the proposed solar canopy. Stearns explained to the board that the proposed changes will not substantially impact design or conflict with any of the town’s bylaws.
Despite the board and Stearns coming to a general agreement surrounding the proposal, community members arrived at the meeting to express some of their concerns surrounding the project. Mainly, concerns about the value of nearby homes after the construction of the solar array were relayed to the board.
One community member brought a petition to block the construction of the solar panels; this petition was signed by 28 households in the surrounding neighborhood. The general concern put forth by area residents was that the solar construction would be unattractive and decrease the value of surrounding homes. In addition, there were concerns that, even if this particular site was screened from the view of the abutting properties, the construction may set a precedent that would permit similar solar sites on more visible properties.
Despite the dissent, there was some support from town residents. One participant argued that the solar project would be beneficial to the bog and that, even though he lives next to the bog, he has no problem with the solar canopy. To him, anything that could potentially benefit the struggling bogs would be a benefit to the town.
Chairman Arnold Johnson explained that there is little that the Planning Board can do in order to stop the project even if its members wanted to. The site in question falls into an agricultural zone, meaning that it is exempt from a vast majority of regulations that other projects have to address. Moreover, Johnson explained that solar sites have a kind of protective status under the law that means they cannot be blocked by the town without significant justification.
The Planning Board did address concerns surrounding screening by making it clear to town members that the board will do everything it can to ensure proper measures are in place to prevent the view of the site from abutting properties and nearby roads. Johnson also revealed that the site would be low impact, requiring no tree cutting or clearing of any kind. All of this would mean that minimal construction vehicles would be needed to complete the project.
After Johnson’s explanation, the board voted to close the public hearing on the proposal and await a draft decision to be reviewed in its next meeting. The Rochester Planning Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 8, with remote access through Zoom and in-person access at the Rochester Memorial School.
Rochester Planning Board
By Matthew Donato