Schodack board to review revised Norbut Solar Reno Road plan after developer removes battery storage

Supervisor Charles J. Peter presided over a May 28 hearing in Schodack Town Hall where representatives for Norbut Solar asked the Town Board to reopen the local law and designate the company’s Reno Road project as a Planned Development District (PDD).

S. Saunders of Norbut Solar told the board the company had made “major changes,” most notably removing battery storage from the design. Saunders said the revised plan reduced the number of sites from three to two, decreased disturbance and tree removal, reduced utility poles from 18 to 12, and increased screening around the site. He asked that those changes be considered so the project would not have to restart the review process.

A planning engineer, Michael Bogojevski of BME Associates, presented a yield study showing that a conventional single‑family subdivision could allow up to 63 homes on the same 163.7‑acre parcel under current zoning. Bogojevski said a residential subdivision would require more grading, produce more traffic and be more permanent than a solar installation.

Norbut representative A. Champion emphasized the project’s planning record, noting that the Planning Board had recommended the matter move to the Town Board and that a SEQR review resulted in a negative declaration. Champion also read and responded to a resident’s letter that listed conditions the resident had asked be met prior to rezoning.

Opponents and neighbors voiced a range of concerns during the public comment period. D. DiBrito and other residents questioned the visual impact, the placement and clustering of new utility poles near homes, and whether National Grid could allow an underground interconnection. N. Boni asked who would replace panels at the end of their lifespan and raised worries about cadmium and lead leaching from panels. L. Heintjies, who said she completed the New York Master Forester Program, said the earlier inclusion of batteries was the ‘‘number one concern’’ among neighbors because of fire risk; she said removing batteries addressed “some concerns” but still worried about tree loss and visibility. R. Rowley asked how many poles would be required; Saunders responded that 12 poles were planned at the interconnection area.

Laborers’ Local 190 representatives and several union members in the audience urged approval, saying the project would generate construction jobs for county residents. A. Fesina and others said the union employs many local members and asked the board to reconsider approval to support local work opportunities.

Developer D. Norbut said the constructed site would require ongoing maintenance — mowing, plowing and panel upkeep — and that community solar subscribers could see up to a five percent discount on electric bills. Norbut said the project would include a two‑million‑dollar upgrade to the energy grid.

Town Attorney Christopher Langlois briefed the board on procedure: the PDD request began in October 2025, the Planning Board issued a recommendation after review, the board continued a public hearing into January 2026, and a March 26, 2026 Town Board vote on the PDD was defeated. Langlois said the board could choose to reopen the local law only if there were significant changes that could alter the outcome of the prior vote; he recommended the Board take time to review the revisions and consult counsel.

No vote was taken on the PDD at the May 28 meeting. The board said it would review Norbut’s revised submission, consult with counsel, and decide whether to reopen the local law and schedule a new public hearing. The board also reiterated that the Planning Board’s recommended screening and the reconfigured interconnect had been incorporated into Norbut’s updated plan.

The Town Board is expected to consider next steps after counsel and staff review the company’s revised materials.