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Developer notifies town of planned solar facility at former golf course; state review expected
Summary
Applicants plan to file with the Connecticut Siting Council for a large solar array on approximately 20–28 acres at 140 Knott Road (former golf course/Talc Mountain Collective). Town staff said the project will be subject to state siting review and the town can provide comments but has no local land‑use veto.
Town staff told the zoning commission on Sept. 3 that an applicant plans to file a Connecticut Siting Council application for a large solar facility on a roughly 20‑ to 28‑acre portion of the former golf course at 140 Knott Road (the parcel hosting the Talc Mountain Collective). Staff said the panels would be sited primarily on the north/ridge side of the property and would require clearing of former golf‑course fairways and evergreen trees; the proposal would not extend into the core ridgeline forest, according to staff.
Because the project exceeds the Siting Council’s threshold for review, the state agency—not the town—will conduct the primary land‑use review. Staff said the town has previously engaged informally with applicants on landscaping, fencing and visual mitigation and that the town will have an opportunity to submit recommendations to the Siting Council during the state review process. Staff expected a formal filing with the state in the fall and estimated a four‑ to six‑month Siting Council review after filing.
Commissioners asked whether panels would be visible from the roadway and staff confirmed they would be observable on the ridge side when driving past; staff said the panels would be oriented southwest for maximum solar exposure. Staff said the project typically negotiates a property‑tax agreement with the assessor and that property tax and lease revenue arrangements are part of the project economics but were not yet specified. The town manager and planning staff have been briefed; formal public notices will follow the Siting Council filing.
Staff emphasized the town’s limited direct regulatory authority for state‑jurisdiction projects while noting the town can comment and request mitigation measures through the state process.
