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Planning board approves lot-line consolidation for city solar site; neighbors ask why residential land chosen
Summary
Board approved a lot-line deletion to combine two contiguous residential parcels on First Avenue that the city intends to site for a future solar installation; nearby residents questioned converting residential land to a solar field and raised alternatives and wetland/soil concerns.
The Planning Board approved a lot-line deletion on March 17 to merge two adjacent city-owned residential parcels on First Avenue (514-520 and 522-528 First Avenue) to create a single parcel the city says will be used in a future solar project.
Planning staff said the action before the board was administrative: the consolidation is a first step that will allow a future special-permit application for a ground-mounted solar installation to move forward. The board voted to approve the lot-line revision under Board Policy 6; no site-specific solar plan or site plan was before the board at this meeting.
Several board members and residents asked why a residential parcel was being considered for a solar field instead of other city properties such as municipal rooftops or larger DPW parcels. Planning Director Suzanne King said the city is evaluating multiple parcels for solar installations and that some city-owned lands, including the pair of parcels on First Avenue, were considered because of size and ownership; she added that the Department of Public Works and other city properties are also under review for solar.
A resident raised soil and wetland concerns, noting the parcels had been historically wet or filled and that placing structures there could require extensive remediation. Planning staff said the solar special-permit application will include a full site plan, wetlands evaluation and engineering analysis when formally submitted.
The board treated the lot-line deletion as a Type 2 action under SEQRA and approved the map with the standard signatory and mylar requirements. The board said the forthcoming solar special-permit application will require an additional public hearing and technical reviews.
