County planning staff flags viewshed, tourism concerns ahead of May 28 PSC hearing on 5 MW Helmstader’s Curve solar project

County planning staff told commissioners that the county participated in a preliminary Public Service Commission (PSC) information meeting for a proposed nearly 5‑megawatt solar project at Helmsstader’s Curve and urged commissioners to consider submitting formal comments ahead of a May 28 final public hearing.

Lee, speaking for the Department of Planning and Zoning, said state law preempts local zoning for solar projects above 2 megawatts but noted: “our development standards still apply.” He flagged specific local concerns about potential impacts to the Great Allegheny Passage and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the tourism that depends on those resources. He added that neighbors testified both for and against the proposal at the initial meeting and that the developer described the project as a community solar project that would allow local subscriptions at discounted rates.

Staff told the board the PSC’s next step is an in‑person public hearing on May 28 at the Lavelle Library (the first meeting was held by Zoom). Lee offered to coordinate either written testimony from the county or in‑person testimony by staff or individual commissioners. "We have until, up until that May 28 hearing," Lee said when describing the timeline for formal comments.

The county has three principal options available, as discussed with commissioners: file written comments with the PSC, coordinate county staff testimony at the May 28 hearing, or have one or more commissioners testify in person. County staff emphasized they will review the PSC filing when it is available and return recommended language and next steps to the commission.

What happens next: staff will circulate the PSC draft materials to commissioners when available and stand ready to draft written testimony or coordinate appearances for the May 28 in‑person hearing at Lavelle Library.