Carbon County staff flags major deficiencies in proposed Mahoning Township solar park; commission sends comments to township

Planning staff told the Carbon County Planning Commission that a land‑development plan submitted by Milo Enterprises to build a commercial solar energy facility in Mahoning Township contains several major deficiencies and “precludes any recommendation for approval” unless the applicant supplies missing documentation and addresses technical concerns. The commission voted to forward staff comments to the Mahoning Township supervisors.

The staff presentation summarized the plan and the review. The plan proposes up to about 10.08 acres of earth disturbance to construct a ground‑mounted commercial solar facility with arrays shown on the plan as 5,400 panels; the applicant told Mahoning Township supervisors there could be “approximately 5,800 to 5,900 solar panels,” a discrepancy staff said must be confirmed before approval. The plan shows a connection to an existing PPL pole and a transformer location; staff said transformer specifications and electrical conduit details were not sufficiently documented.

Planning staff cited wetlands and floodplain concerns. “Portions of the proposed land development and access driveway are located within the 100‑year floodplain as…