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Mayor to oppose 19.6-acre West Hill solar proposal; council urged residents to submit comments
Summary
City staff and the mayor signaled opposition to a proposed 19.6-acre solar project south of West Hill Road; mayor’s office will draft a response to the state Siting Council and the council encouraged public comment before the Oct. 4 deadline.
The mayor and council discussed a state Siting Council application for a proposed utility-scale solar project covering approximately 19.6 acres south of West Hill Road (near West Hill Pond and the Route 183 intersection). The applicant’s materials include maps and a docket with public filings; the Siting Council requested local feedback by Oct. 4.
Mayor Carbone told the council the city’s consultant (Bruce McDermott) recommended the city submit an objection outlining concerns: the loss of agricultural land, impacts to neighborhood character, and cumulative burden from other solar installations. She said staff would prepare a draft letter for council consideration and requested members and neighbors submit comments to the Siting Council as well.
Council members suggested several lines of inquiry to include in the city’s response: potential impacts on property values, effects on emergency response and fire protection (Councilwoman Espino suggested involving the fire marshal), and cumulative loss of agricultural land. The mayor said the city would “put together a letter that will itemize those reasons” and encouraged residents to file comments directly with the Siting Council as well.
No formal council vote was taken; the mayor’s office will draft a formal objection for council review and potential vote before the Siting Council deadline.
