Lysander board approves storage-container amendment at Cold Springs Solar site

The Town of Lysander Planning Board on June 11 approved a site-plan amendment to allow a permanent storage container at the Cold Springs Solar site, 3400 Cold Springs Road. The container will be used to store spare panels, racking components and maintenance parts, and the applicant confirmed no hazardous materials, batteries or electrical equipment will be stored inside.

Board members discussed size, height and location; the applicant said the container would be located near the center of the array to reduce visibility from neighboring properties and described it as approximately 20 feet by 40 feet and lower in height than the surrounding solar arrays. The resolution approving the amendment (Resolution #3) describes the container as 40' x 6' x 8' in the site plan package; the minutes record both descriptions.

The board noted minimal visual impact due to the container being surrounded by panels and confirmed that, because the container is a permanent addition, Planning Board site-plan approval or site-plan amendment is required. The board also noted the project had an earlier SEQR Negative Declaration (September 11, 2023) and that this modification did not require Onondaga County review.

Resolution #3 (motion by Corey; second by Kimball) approved the Controlled Site Use/Site Plan amendment for Distributed Energy Infrastructure to allow placement of the storage container on property at 3400 Cold Springs Road (Tax Map No. 064-03-02.1), conditioned on payment of any outstanding fees. The vote was 4-0.

Board members complimented the site's landscaping and maintenance.