With only loose ends remaining, the site-plan review of the Randall Lane Solar project is nearly complete. During the December 6 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, the solar team headed up by Attorney Greg Sampson and including Eric Las, Caroline Booth and Joe Harrison once again addressed comments from the board related to the latest iteration of the plan of record.
On this night, questions arose as to the size of trucks and other transport vehicles intended to be used to ferry materials into the site by way of the dirt lane. The solar team confirmed that the historic stone bridge across the Mattapoisett River at River Road would not be used by the developers and that a safety officer would be stationed at the intersection of River Road and Randall Lane at all times during active construction stages. That language was tweaked to the satisfaction of all as part of the board’s final decision.
Also tweaked was language covering the acres that will ultimately be in permanent conservation restriction to be held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. At first, board member Janice Robbins said she was not comfortable with the absence of a firm number of acres to be conserved. Town Counsel Jonathan Silverstein called the text “aspirational.” The ambiguity was a problem for the board.
Sampson confirmed that as of December 6, an exact number of acres to be conserved via a conservation restriction could not be given. Board members were unified in their concern that a figure is needed in the site-plan review. After some discussion by the solar team, they offered language that would read, “no less than 75 acres.”
The board and the applicants also briefly discussed what would happen if the project is sold to another developer before construction is completed. The board was satisfied that bonds would protect the town’s interests. “A few more tweaks and we should be ready,” stated Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker. The site-plan review was continued until the board’s December 20 meeting.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Form A, Approval Not Required (ANR) subdivision requested by Randall Lane Solar LLC was continued to February 7.
In other matters, a Form C application filed by Dandy Realty Trust for a new roadway layout for Nicky’s Lane was continued to December 20.
Also continued to December 20 was a previously continued Definitive Subdivision Plan filed for property located on Park Lane. Representing the applicants was Douglas Schneider who was cautioned by Tucker, “This is your last chance.” For various reasons, the proposed development has met with delays over many months.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, December 20, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell