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Plympton planning board asks solar site owners to revise planting and screening plans
Summary
The Plympton Planning Board unanimously asked the owner of the Main and Mayflower solar field to submit a revised plan elevating plantings to prevent flood damage, and instructed the Lake Street solar owner to replace five dead white pines and discuss additional screening for rear panels visible from Main Street (one board member recused).
The Plympton Planning Board on April 7 asked owners of two local solar installations to revise landscaping and screening plans after finding plantings and sightlines that do not meet local expectations.
Chair Ann Sobolewski led the discussion about the Main and Mayflower solar field, noting the area floods and asking the board what the preferred remedy should be. Planning board member James Cohen proposed building a berm in front of the fence and placing the replacement plantings on top of the berm to prevent repeated flooding and plant mortality. The board voted unanimously to suggest the owner submit a modified plan elevating the plantings for the flood-prone area.
At the Lake Street solar site, the board reviewed a post-installation report that identified one dead white pine; abutter Joann Beckwith, who recused from the formal vote, told the board she counted five dead white pines. The board agreed the owner must replace five pines and added a request that the owner return to meet with the board to discuss additional screening for the back panels that are visible from Main Street. That motion passed unanimously with one recusal.
Board member Paul J. D'Angelo commented on missing screening behind the panels and the board asked that the response to the planting plan include a screening plan for the rear panels. The board did not take further new business on the solar items at the meeting.
The board’s requests are advisory actions to the site owners; no fines or formal enforcement actions were recorded in the minutes. The board noted the matters can be resolved by the owners returning with revised plans and a screening proposal for review at a future meeting.
