RPC to send letters on Clarendon Act 250 project and 45-day notice for Fairhaven solar project

The Rutland Regional Planning Commission on Sept. 16 authorized RPC staff to send two letters after its regional committee review: a letter finding a proposed redevelopment at 86 Squire Road in Clarendon to be of significant regional impact and in conformance with the regional plan (Act 250 consideration), and a separate letter commenting on a Section 248 45-day notice for a proposed 4.99-megawatt solar project in Fairhaven.

Sarah (committee presenter) summarized the committee's findings: the Clarendon application was reviewed for conformance with the regional plan and the committee recommended forwarding a letter of significant regional impact. For the Fairhaven 45-day notice the committee noted concerns about siting on prime agricultural soils, the absence of a decommissioning plan in the application or notice, and potential misalignment with a neighboring clean-water service provider project.

Nut graf: The letters are standard RPC responses in state land-use and utility-review processes; they flag potential regional impacts and technical gaps for state agencies and applicants to consider. The RPC's action asks staff to package and send the two letters addressing the committee's concerns.

The full board moved and seconded the committee's recommendation; members voted by voice and approved sending the letters. The motion covered both actions: a recommendation that the Clarendon Act 250 application be treated as having significant regional impact and a letter with comments on the Fairhaven Section 248 notice, specifically requesting clarification on decommissioning and alignment with the neighboring project.

Ending: RPC staff will prepare and send the two letters to the relevant agencies and applicants as directed by the board. The letters will document regional concerns and request additional information in both matters.