Planning director briefs commission on development pipeline; Lodestar proposes 20‑acre solar array at 140 Knott Road

At the Sept. 9, 2025 meeting, Simsbury Planning Director George briefed the Planning Commission on the town's development project spreadsheet and several active projects, and disclosed that Lodestar has proposed a roughly 20‑acre solar array at 140 Knott Road, the former Tower Ridge Golf Course. George said the solar facility is likely to proceed through the state review process rather than local land use review.

"It is a large enough megawatt facility such that it does not have local land use review," George said, describing the project's anticipated path. "It goes straight to the Connecticut Siting Council." The town expects the applicant to file with the Siting Council in coming weeks and staff said they anticipate the possibility of a local public hearing as part of the Siting Council's process.

The solar array would occupy the northern portion of the former golf course property, which is leased by the project proponent while the landowner (recorded in the meeting as Simsbury Realty LLC) would retain ownership under the lease. The panels are described as roughly 6 to 7 feet high in place; rows would likely be oriented perpendicular to the road and face south. Staff asked…