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Company tells Hampstead it will seek PSC approval for community solar on Patmos property; town raises decommissioning concern
Summary
The town learned that Hall and Bauer Solutions intends to apply to the Maryland Public Service Commission for a community solar project on the Patmos property; town officials said the PSC process can preempt local zoning and said they will submit comments and seek assurances on decommissioning.
At the Feb. 25 Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Zoning Administrator Jim reported that Hall and Bauer Solutions notified the town of its intent to apply to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to build a ground-mounted community solar project on the Patmos property at the southern end of town.
"They're looking to build this on the Patmos property," Jim said, locating the site near the south roundabout between the bypass and Maryland Route 30. He said the applicant provided the town the required 90-day notice and plans to file with the PSC in late March.
Jim told commissioners that the Patmos parcel is zoned restricted industrial and that local zoning does not specifically list solar as a permitted or conditional use. He cautioned that the PSC process can, in some circumstances, preempt local zoning "related to the location construction and operation of such facilities," and said the town planned to send a letter of comments, meet with the applicant and discuss conditions the commission would like to see included prior to the PSC filing.
Commissioners asked about who would receive the energy from a solar farm and potential local impacts. Jim said the project would feed the grid — serving utilities such as BGE or other local power purchasers — rather than directly serving the town, and that the direct town impact would likely be limited to increased property tax value on the previously vacant land.
He flagged decommissioning as a key local concern and said the town hoped to secure a bond to cover decommissioning costs when the facility reaches the end of its life. Jim also noted site constraints: the town’s water lines do not extend to the Patmos site, and bringing water and sewer service to the parcel would add cost for any future on-site industrial development.
No formal town action or vote on the application occurred at the Feb. 25 meeting; the item was an informational notice and preliminary town discussion.
