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Falmouth board hears request to raise solar carport canopy over former sand pit at 459 Blacksmith Shop Road
Summary
Applicant Nexgrip/Blacksmith Shop Solar sought a minor modification to a 2019 approval to construct a northern elevated solar array with battery storage on a former sand quarry; board asked for finalized elevations, confirmation of prohibited parking in the Water Resource Protection District and continued the matter to Jan. 14.
The Town of Falmouth Planning Board on its December meeting heard a proposal from Nexgrip/Blacksmith Shop Solar to construct an elevated solar carport canopy and battery energy storage system at 459 Blacksmith Shop Road, a former sand quarry located in the Agricultural A and Solar Overlay districts and within the town's Water Resource Protection Zone. Mike Patterson, representing Nexgrip and Blacksmith Shop Solar, said the application seeks a minor modification to a 2019 approval and covers the northern portion of a two-array project.
"This project will have an estimated lifespan of 20 to 30 years," Patterson told the board. Melinda Costello of Wesson & Sampson Engineers described the stormwater design: grading to expand the northern array footprint, two on-site infiltration basins sized to treat a 1-inch rainfall event and sediment forebays, a gravel footprint beneath panels, and three isolated equipment pads surrounded by 7-foot fences to meet the National Electrical Code.
Board members repeatedly raised questions about site use under the elevated canopy and the project's visibility and height. The chair noted the Water Resource Protection District prohibits parking: "Parking is not a possibility. It is disallowed in that water resource district," and asked whether elevating the array could create an easily exploitable, illegal parking area. Applicant representatives said the current request is limited to the solar canopy and that any future leasing or alternate use of the space beneath the array would require a separate permit.
Members asked the applicant to provide a specific proposed height and structural drawings before the board could approve a modification; the applicant estimated the canopy would be "over 12 feet" but had not finalized structural elevations. Planning staff said the board could add clear conditions forbidding any use that conflicts with the Water Resource Protection District's prohibitions.
The board and applicant agreed to continue the application to the Planning Board's next meeting on Jan. 14, with the applicant to supply final elevation and structural details and the planning office to provide a list of allowed and prohibited uses for the Water Resource Protection District. The applicant also agreed to confirm and clear up a tax-status question raised during the meeting prior to the next hearing.
