Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board continues hearing on relocation of Town Highway No. 20 tied to proposed Middle Road South solar array
Summary
After hearing a revised sketch and developer presentation, the Select Board continued the public hearing on relocating Town Highway No. 20 to May 12 to allow updated surveys, findings and further review; staff said the MOA covers town costs.
The Middlebury Select Board on April 20 continued a public hearing under Title 19 V.S.A. § 709 on the proposed relocation of Town Highway No. 20, a change tied to a proposed solar installation on Middle Road South.
Town staff presented a revised sketch developed in coordination with the applicant and said the updated alignment reduces sharp turns and requires less land disturbance. Staff told the board a memorandum of agreement with the developer would cover survey work, filing fees and legal costs so the town would not incur direct expenses for relocation or recording.
The developer, identified in the meeting as Thomas, told the board the proposal preserves an existing east–west pathway and maintains a wildlife corridor between the solar arrays as recommended by the Planning Commission. Thomas also said a shorter road alignment would reduce construction costs and that the developer has offered land conservation and trail easements as public benefits.
Town staff and board members asked technical questions about setback measurements and potential impacts on future connectivity, including whether the alignment would affect a possible second egress for the middle school. Staff and the developer said the current sketch aims to preserve right‑of‑way for future connectivity and that the design uses a conservative 100‑foot setback measured from the right‑of‑way to account for the traveled way.
After public comment from an online participant and counsel’s recommendation to allow time for an updated survey and drafted findings of fact, the board voted to recess and continue the hearing to May 12 at 7:20 p.m. to provide time for revised survey documentation and findings the board can read into the record.
The continuation gives staff and the developer time to refine plans and prepare findings; the board did not vote to adopt a relocation at this meeting.
