ZBA sets Dec. 16 public hearing for Millburn Road solar project after presentation and visual‑screening discussion

The Zoning Board agreed to set a public hearing for Dec. 16 on a proposed Solar Liberty project on Millburn Road after the applicant presented three area variances tied to an internal subdivision line intended to create two 5‑megawatt arrays.

Attorney Ari Goldberg, representing the applicant, said the planning board had already issued a negative SEQRA declaration for the wider project in September 2025 and that the three variances relate to an internal lot line used so each array qualifies under NYSERDA’s incentives (limit of 5 MW AC per array). Goldberg said all impacts have been studied by planning‑board consultants and that the project team has already planted a substantial landscaping buffer (he said 158 large arborvitae plus additional trees) to mitigate visual and glare concerns.

Board members and public questioned the internal lot line bisecting an access road, the permanence of internal‑setback variances and the decommissioning plan for removal at end of life. The applicant said the decommissioning plan and bond would cover dismantling the road and arrays at project end and offered to pin any variances to the life of the project or include decommissioning conditions as part of approvals. The board voted to schedule a public hearing for Dec. 16 and asked the applicant to submit visual simulation materials and to analyze whether shifting the lot line could reduce internal setback requests.

No variances were granted at the meeting; the board's action moves the matter to a scheduled hearing and asks the applicant to provide additional visuals and options in advance of that hearing.