Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Renewable Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning board pauses decision on Reservoir Road solar array, asks for stamped site plan and watershed notifications
Summary
The board continued an application for a ground‑mounted solar array at 61 Reservoir Road after asking the applicant to provide a stamped site plan showing distances to a nearby reservoir, and evidence that affected towns/water departments were notified under the Crook Fall Brook watershed rules (sec. 6.19).
The North Smithfield Zoning Board of Review continued an application by a property owner for a ground‑mounted solar photovoltaic system at 61 Reservoir Road (AP 021, Lot 4) after board members requested additional documentation related to watershed protections and notifications.
Applicant and property manager Nick Bolzano described two separate ground‑mounted arrays totaling 84 solar panels and said he represents the property owner. The board entered vendor plans and a stamped electrical engineer sheet into the record and confirmed a notarized letter authorizing Bolzano to act as the applicant’s representative.
An email from resident Gail Denome — submitted to the zoning office and the town planner — raised the possibility that neighboring municipalities or their water departments had not been notified as required by the town’s watershed ordinance (section 6.19). Board members said Crook Fall Brook watershed protections make the water supply sensitive and asked the applicant to provide a stamped site plan showing the exact distance from the proposed array to the reservoir and to demonstrate that the town planner and the water departments in Lincoln and Smithfield (and Woonsocket, which was on the existing notification list) were notified.
The board agreed not to vote on the permit until the applicant submitted a stamped site plan with property boundaries and distances to the water, and proof of notification to the relevant water authorities. The record shows the board moved and approved a motion to continue the application to a date certain (motion in transcript lists 01/25/2025).
