Farmland Preservation Committee elects Joan Pott chair, debates Goode Street solar cap and a Burnt Hills farmers market

The Farmland Preservation and Protection Committee met May 19, 2026, and elected Joan Pott as chair and Linda Voehringer as secretary before discussing local land-use issues and outreach strategies.

Linda Voehringer moved to name Joan Pott chair; Steve Merchant seconded and the committee voted unanimously in favor. Joan Pott then moved to appoint Linda Voehringer as secretary; Steve Merchant seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting closed after a final motion to adjourn by Steve Merchant, seconded by Scott Draina.

The committee spent substantial time on a proposed solar project on Goode Street and the town’s 150-acre cap on solar siting. Members said the cap was established after reviewing the town’s layout and farmland availability and noted that, in 2010, roughly 10,000 acres were undeveloped or in farming while about 10,000 were developed. The minutes record that committee members challenged a Planning Board vice-chair’s comment that the cap was “arbitrary,” and they noted an asserted conflict of interest by that Planning Board official; the minutes do not record a formal response from the Planning Board.

Property owners Ron Conrad and Laura Purdy presented a proposal to host a town farmers market on their Route 50 property in Burnt Hills, a parcel described as about 3 acres with roughly 150 feet of road frontage across from the Green Grocer gas station. They outlined the potential for a pavilion and parking to support market activity. Committee members raised questions about whether a modified site plan exists or whether the owners will submit the plan to the Planning Board, who would qualify as approved vendors, who would oversee the market, whether the town would charge fees or provide marketing support, and who would carry liability insurance. Members noted existing vendors already face challenges attracting customers and said establishing a market this year would be a ‘‘big lift.’’ The committee invited Conrad and Purdy to attend the next farmland meeting to continue the conversation.

The committee also discussed gaps in the town’s zoning code around solar, battery storage and data centers. Members noted data centers are not yet addressed in the code and that battery facilities were recently added under resolution 25-241; the committee agreed to review current language and draft more specific provisions addressing those uses.

Minutes show the committee recommended hiring “Nan S.” as an agricultural consultant to assist with its work; contract terms, scope and compensation were not specified in the minutes. Members also discussed changes in local dairy operations: land previously farmed by Dave Wood for his Charlton dairy operation is now being farmed by King’s Dairy (referred to in the minutes as Kings Dairy), raising concerns that parcels that had received exemptions under Wood’s arrangements may no longer qualify as the operation is reorganized.

To respond, the committee proposed compiling a list of farmers willing to take on additional properties so parcels can remain in agricultural production. The group also agreed to piggyback on the Town of Clifton Park’s agricultural plan and to invite Isabel Prescott and Dave U. to the next meeting to explain Clifton Park’s process and status.

The meeting adjourned after Steve Merchant moved to close and Scott Draina seconded; members voted unanimously to adjourn. The minutes do not record votes beyond the leadership appointments and the adjournment motion.

Next steps recorded in the minutes include a follow-up discussion on the farmers market with the property owners at the next farmland meeting, drafting zoning language for solar/battery/data center uses, outreach to farmers to maintain agricultural production on at-risk parcels, and inviting Clifton Park contacts to brief the committee.