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Commission OKs solar canopy at 1 Railroad Ave; project may need planning board sign‑off
Summary
The Conservation Commission approved an order of conditions for a raised solar canopy (about 20×40 ft) above an outdoor seating area at 1 Railroad Ave, finding floodplain impact de minimis. The applicant still needs site‑plan approval from the planning board.
On Dec. 10 the Peabody Conservation Commission granted an order of conditions for installation of a raised solar canopy at 1 Railroad Avenue intended to provide electrical credits to a nearby business, Family Run Foods LLC.
Attorney John Kelty explained the proposal: a solar structure elevated on roughly 10 columns about 10 feet above ground that will sit over a grass seating area and picnic tables. The panel and the applicant discussed floodplain constraints; the site sits below the FEMA 100‑year elevation, but the proposed columns were assessed as causing only de minimis loss of flood storage (applicants quantified the change in cubic feet as very small).
"It's de minimis in the floodplain itself," an engineer said during the presentation. Commissioners closed the public hearing and voted to issue standard conditions 1–50; the approval was recorded as contingent on any necessary planning board or site‑plan approvals by other city boards.
Why it matters: the project is an example of adding local solar capacity while working within constrained downtown parcels and regulatory floodplain limits.
Next steps: the applicant will pursue any required planning board or site‑plan review; conservation staff will issue the order of conditions and monitor compliance with the standard conditions.
Representative quote: "We propose a solar roof about 10 feet off the ground supported on columns," said an Eastland Heights surveyor for the applicant.
