North Kingstown residents press council to block clear-cutting for proposed 10,000-panel solar farm, raise water and noise concerns

During public comment on July 15, multiple North Kingstown residents urged the council and planning staff to scrutinize a proposed 10,000-panel solar installation near Woodland Estates, raising environmental, water-protection and noise-abatement concerns.

Frank Sullivan, who said he lives on Firwood Drive next to the proposed site, told the council the project would "totally change the character" of the subdivision and said the parcel lies in a wellhead protection area that could threaten drinking water. Sullivan also accused the developer (transcript name: Paul Michelahedes) of having a poor reputation and litigation history based on internet searches.

Jason Bergenstock (transcript: Jason Bergenstock) told the council that a 1995 environmental impact study tied to the Route 403 relocation established a 10-decibel threshold for a "substantial" noise impact and said mitigation measures recommended then were never implemented because of cost. Bergenstock urged the council to require noise mitigation, to coordinate with the planning department, and to evaluate the cumulative impact of new development and removal of tree buffers.

Other speakers from Woodland Estates echoed those concerns and asked whether the town or the state would be responsible for mitigation costs; town staff indicated the highway (Route 403) is a state facility and suggested that planning staff and the Planning Commission are the appropriate bodies to hear technical noise and mitigation evidence. Council members advised residents they should also bring evidence to the Planning Commission and share the environmental study with the town manager and planning department for review.

Council did not take action on the solar proposal at the July 15 meeting; the clerk and managers said the proposal is before the Planning Commission and residents were encouraged to participate in that forum.