Falmouth Planning Board approves ASD Cape Cod Holdings' three-array solar project with conditions
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Summary
The planning board approved a site plan for three large ground‑mounted solar arrays totaling about 23.3 MW DC (13.5 MW AC), with conditions on decommissioning, landscaping, stormwater, access and operation. The applicant will donate the project land to the town and lease it back for operations.
The Town of Falmouth Planning Board voted April 14 to approve ASD Cape Cod Holdings LLC’s application to install three large‑scale ground‑mounted solar photovoltaic arrays on properties off Theater Drive and Boxberry Hill Road.
Board staff read a draft decision that described the East, West and South arrays as collectively comprising roughly 23.3 megawatts DC (about 13.5 MW AC) and identified related site components including a battery energy storage system (BESS), transformers, electrical cabinets, conduits, and stormwater management features. The decision describes approximately 137 acres in play, with about 54–55 acres to be permanently conserved as open space and the applicant’s stated intent to donate the acreage to the town by quitclaim deed and then enter into leases for the array sites.
"The proposed project involves the installation of three individual large scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic arrays on approximately 58.8 plus or minus acres," board staff (Bob) read from the draft decision as the board reviewed findings and conditions.
The board’s findings and conditions require construction to follow the approved plan set, submission of as‑built plans before a certificate of inspection, a decommissioning plan and financial surety (a decommissioning bond to be set by the Select Board under §2.47.4.g), erosion and sediment controls, a street‑opening permit if needed, and building‑code compliance as determined by the building commissioner. The decision also requires the applicant to obtain any FAA determinations of no hazard to air navigation before a building permit is issued.
The draft decision includes ecological mitigation measures and a multi‑season restoration plan. It states the project will clear approximately 10.5 acres of vegetation and that the applicant proposes to revegetate about 16.5 acres, plant approximately 650 trees (232 inside the proposed open space), add pollinator‑friendly plantings under panels, maintain wildlife corridors and plant nesting boxes, and monitor restoration for at least three growing seasons.
Representatives for the applicant, including Matt Terry (representing the applicant) and consultant Lawrence Cooker of GS Sky Energy, discussed details of landscaping and planting sizes during the meeting. The board debated whether to prescribe a 3‑inch caliper at 4 feet for certain plantings, with consultants saying the practical starting stock would commonly be 4–6 feet high saplings and noting a three‑year maintenance obligation in the restoration plan. The board asked the applicant to return with a specific landscape plan showing species, sizes and locations for final review and sign‑off.
The draft also documents interconnection requirements: an executed interconnection services agreement with Eversource that anticipates upgrading approximately 10 existing poles to three‑phase and installing about eight new three‑phase poles along Roxbury Hill Road.
Operational conditions include limits on maintenance and mowing to weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., dark‑sky‑compliant lighting for equipment paths, requirements for traffic management plans to the Department of Public Works, and an emergency action plan for the fire department. The decision also restricts directing stormwater to public property or rights of way and requires the applicant to seek departmental permissions for any public utility work.
After discussion and an amendment attempt related to specific tree‑size text, the board moved to adopt the draft decision as the board’s site plan review approval with the listed conditions. The board recorded the approval and unanimously voted to accept an email from the applicant extending the board’s decision deadline to April 17 so the decision could be filed.
The approval carries multiple follow‑up requirements for the applicant, including submitting the final landscape/restoration plan for board review and providing a decommissioning bond amount later set by the Select Board. The decision will lapse three years from grant if substantial use has not commenced absent a showing of good cause.
