The planning board reviewed a proposed revision to the mitigation planting plan for the Owens Road solar project and directed counsel to prepare a revised conditional-approval resolution.

Applicant representatives said the originally proposed mitigation planting area included a densely wooded parcel where survivable plantings were not feasible. The applicant proposed relocating most of the mitigation trees to several alternate areas on the site (including rows near the access-road hammerhead and two other planting zones) and to increase the number planted to allow a mortality buffer (applicant proposed planting about 1,600 trees where roughly 1,300 were required, accounting for an expected 15% shortfall).

Staff and board members discussed the scale of the relocation; because the change involves thousands of replacement trees the board reviewed the plan map and species selections and asked for species and height limits keyed to the solar arrays (to avoid future shading of panels). The applicant confirmed species were selected with mature heights in mind and provided a maximum-maturity-height table to ensure plantings would not shade panels over time.

Board counsel was authorized to prepare a revised conditional-approval resolution that captures the revised planting locations, species and maximum-height limits and that lists standard monitoring and replacement requirements; the board recorded a motion authorizing counsel to prepare the resolution and carried the motion by voice vote.