Clean Energy Collective was ordered during the June 1 meeting of the Rochester Planning Board to install fence screening around the Mary’s Pond side of the solar farm under construction off Perry’s Lane before the next meeting or else the board would re-open the public hearing, which would essentially halt progress on the project. Developer Jay Myrto complied with the order, and on June 6, the Planning Board gave the nod to continue the construction of the solar arrays at the site.
The 7-foot pressure-treated stockade fence was installed as promised to Chairman Arnold Johnson’s satisfaction.
“The screening is in place; they finished today,” said Johnson. “I was out there on-site yesterday. It does block the view of the panels.”
Johnson said the fence screening, which was proposed to enhance the screening that a staggered row of shrubs did not accomplish, was sufficient in the board’s opinion.
“I appreciate the help in that,” Johnson told Myrto. “It’s done, it looks nice … we got what we wanted…”
Planning Board member Ben Bailey commented that the fence looks “good,” like a “quality fence.”
“We’re satisfied,” said Bailey.
The board agreed to simply make a note as a minor change to the plan and not re-open the public hearing for the matter.
“You guys can continue,” said Johnson.
In other matters, the board appeared pleased with a proposed commercial building slated for Cranberry Highway on a lot owned by Dale and Laura Ann Briggs.
During the informal pre-submission conference that evening, Mr. Briggs described the project, saying he planned to build a couple of condominiums at the site and the remaining part of the building would be for storage for his equipment and storage rental bays.
The board scheduled a site visit and the site plan review application will be duly advertised in the meantime.
“I feel as though it looks pretty clean and neat,” said acting Chairman Gary Florindo, sitting in for Johnson who recused himself from the discussion.
Bailey asked Briggs if he would be building a unisex restroom inside the common area of the rental space, and then added that he himself, for a project he was involved with, had to construct separate male and female bathrooms because unisex bathrooms are no longer allowed, according to Bailey.
“Just put in a women’s room,” said Planning Board member Lee Carr. “Anyone can use it now.”
“Move quick,” Bailey said to Briggs, “because pretty soon you’re going to need a third bathroom for people who don’t ‘feel right.’”
Also during the meeting, the board held a brief discussion with representatives of Meadowatt, developers of a solar farm located on Marion Road. Johnson said that due to the late receipt of relevant documents, he was not prepared to act on the matter that night. The hearing was continued until June 28.
In other matters, the board held an informal meeting to discuss an expansion at 428 Walnut Plain Road, owned by Kristina and Ryan Bacchiocchi. The plan is to build an addition to accommodate a day care location. The public hearing will likely take place in July.
The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for June 28 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
By Jean Perry