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CCRPC approves comment letters on Act 250 and Section 248 notices for South Burlington ag soils and two small solar projects
Summary
The Executive Committee approved comment letters for a South Burlington Act 250 application seeking release of on-site mitigation for primary agricultural soils and for two Section 248 advance notices (a 150 kW solar project in Charlotte and a 50 kW UVM research site in Burlington); Colchester's preferred site request was deferred for missing information.
Regina Mahony, CCRPC planning manager, presented Act 250 and Section 248 advance notices July 7 and the Executive Committee approved comment letters for multiple filings while deferring one municipal preferred-site question pending additional information.
On the Act 250 matter, CCRPC reviewed an application from BPLC, LLC for 85 Meadowland Drive in South Burlington seeking release of existing on‑site mitigation for primary agricultural soils; Mahony said the District Commission may narrow the hearing scope to primary agricultural soils (9B) unless expanded and that CCRPC finds the project consistent with the 2018 ECOS Plan based on limited information but may prepare additional comments as the petition develops. Jacki Murphy moved and Mike O’Brien seconded approval of a letter to the District Coordinator; the motion carried unanimously.
For Section 248 advance notices, Mahony briefly reviewed two small solar projects. SL Maple Solar I, LLC proposed a 150 kW installation on Carpenter Road in Charlotte; CCRPC staff flagged potential constraints including Class 1 and 2 wetlands, agricultural and hydric soils, protected lands, slopes greater than 15 percent, land in active agriculture and water supply protection and requested more information before concluding conformity with the ECOS Plan. The committee approved the letter to Aegis Renewable Energy by motion (Mike O’Brien moved, Chris Shaw seconded; unanimous).
Mahony also presented a 45‑day notice for a UVM Solar Research and Test Facility (50 kW) proposed on Intervale Road in Burlington; CCRPC’s preliminary review identified possible state constraints (river corridors, rare/threatened/endangered species, Class 1/2 wetlands) and other potential constraints (flood hazard area, agricultural soils and local zoning considerations). The committee approved sending a letter to Encore Renewable Energy.
Separately, Mahony said the Town of Colchester’s preferred site request (item 6d) lacked the necessary submission materials; Jacki Murphy noted that the property was deeded to the town by the Department of Defense and the town is coordinating with DOD and the Bureau of Land Management to provide additional information. The item was deferred.
Committee motions to approve the letters were made and carried unanimously. Mahony emphasized that CCRPC’s comments are based on limited, preliminary information and staff will review full petitions and may add comments as the applications progress.
