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CCRPC committee signs off on 45‑day Act 250/Section 248 comment letter for proposed 150‑kW Colchester solar array
Summary
The CCRPC Joint Executive and Finance Committee approved a 45-day notice comment letter for Aegis Renewable Energy's proposed 150‑kW solar array at 850 College Parkway in Colchester, finding the project consistent with the ECOS Plan while requesting minimization of agricultural soil impacts.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Joint Executive and Finance Committee on July 5 approved a 45-day notice comment letter for a proposed 150‑kW solar array at 850 College Parkway (VT Rt 15) in Colchester, an application submitted by Aegis Renewable Energy under the Act 250/Section 248 review process.
Taylor Newton, planning manager, presented a staff review concluding the project conforms with the CCRPC’s 2018 ECOS Plan and meets Energy Goal #17. Newton said staff identified a potential agricultural soils constraint and recommended that impacts to soils be minimized in accordance with guidance from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Newton added that these comments are based on currently available information and that CCRPC staff will re-review the location with each new submittal.
Catherine McMains moved and Michael Bissonette seconded approval of the 45-day notice application letter; the motion carried unanimously.
During discussion, Michael Bissonette asked why the CCRPC does not request that power lines be buried for projects of this type. Newton responded the CCRPC has no regional policy requiring buried lines and typically defers to the Public Utility Commission on that matter; some municipalities do include buried-line requirements in their development regulations.
The approved letter will be submitted to Aaron Lavallee at Aegis Renewable Energy per CCRPC procedure, and staff will continue to review subsequent submittals for site-specific constraints and compliance.
