CCRPC committee approves Section 248 comment letter for 500 kW Spear Street solar, urges protection of prime agricultural soils

On Oct. 6, 2021, CCRPC planning staff presented comments on a Section 248 petition filed with the Vermont Public Utility Commission seeking approval for a 500 kilowatt group net‑metering solar project at 600 Spear Street in South Burlington.

Regina Mahony shared a site plan and told the committee the CCRPC "finds the proposed project meets the intent of the Energy Goal (Goal #17) and is in conformance with the 2018 ECOS Chittenden County Regional Plan." She said staff had identified one state constraint — the project is located on prime agricultural soils — and requested that the applicant minimize impacts to those soils in accordance with recommendations from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Mahony cautioned CCRPC comments are based on currently available information and that additional comments may follow as the review proceeds.

Mike O’Brien asked whether there were aesthetic considerations such as fencing; Mahony said she did not believe fencing was required and that a natural boundary of shrubs and trees exists at the site. Jacki Murphy moved to approve the Section 248 application letter as presented; Bard Hill seconded and the committee approved the letter unanimously. Individual tally counts were not specified in the minutes.

The committee’s letter will be transmitted as part of the Section 248 review with the PUC; staff said they expect to coordinate with state agencies on minimizing impacts to prime agricultural soils.