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CCRPC Executive Committee approves comment letters on two energy projects in Milton and Williston
Summary
The Executive Committee approved staff comment letters urging mitigation of agricultural and wetland impacts for a Norwich Solar 1 MW array in Milton and upgrades to VELCO’s Taft’s Corner Substation in Williston; both letters were approved unanimously.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee on Oct. 4 approved staff comment letters recommending protections for agricultural soils, riparian areas and wildlife corridors in response to two energy project petitions.
Taylor Newton, the CCRPC planning manager, presented the committee with a staff letter on Norwich Solar’s 45-day notice for a proposed 1-megawatt ground-mounted solar array at 36 Landfill Road in Milton. Newton told members the site includes agricultural soils in the southern parcel and a Highest Priority Surface Water & Riparian Area near a small stream; staff recommended minimizing impacts to agricultural soils "in accordance with the recommendations of the Vermont Agency of Agricultural, Food, and Markets" and asked the petitioner to work with the Agency of Natural Resources on site-specific concerns. Jacki Murphy moved to approve the letter; the motion was seconded by Chair Chris Shaw and carried unanimously.
Newton also briefed the committee on a full petition from VELCO for upgrades to the Taft’s Corner Substation in Williston. Because CCRPC waived the 45-day notice, the packet included a full petition. Newton said the existing substation sits on agricultural and hydric soils and that proposed improvements "should not further impact the soil," but staff asked for mitigation and coordination with the Town of Williston regarding a nearby wildlife travel corridor identified in the town plan. Catherine McMains moved to approve the VELCO comment letter; Jacki Murphy seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The approvals were formal committee recommendations to be filed as CCRPC comments with the applicable state permitting dockets. No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the minutes.
Next steps: staff will transmit the letters to the Public Utility Commission and the relevant state agencies, and will follow up with applicants if additional technical information on capping/settling over the Milton landfill site or wildlife-corridor measures for the Williston substation becomes available.
