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Ridgway council narrows solar plan for Green Street Sustainability Park after public feedback
Summary
Consultants presented a revised Green Street Sustainability Park reducing the proposed solar array; San Miguel Power Association described battery-storage plans and state renewables goals, and the council directed consolidation of panels and prioritized community gathering spaces while weighing public concerns about scale and siting.
Consultants and the Ridgway Town Council discussed a revised Green Street Sustainability Park concept on Aug. 14 that pares back the planned solar array and emphasizes community gathering and education.
Stacy Passmore of Superbloom presented a revised concept that reduced the originally proposed 425-kilowatt array to a 200–250 kW array and proposed moving solar panels along the west side of the park and onto roof structures when feasible. Several members of the public spoke both in favor of and opposed to the plan. Concerns raised by opponents included scale and siting; supporters cited clean-energy benefits and educational opportunities.
Willy Freeman, manager with San Miguel Power Association, explained the regional electricity provider’s perspective on reliability and storage, saying the proposed park solar combined with battery storage could provide energy and resilience: "We are looking at new ways of storage" and noted SMPA had been "awarded a grant" to incorporate solar and storage at its yard. Freeman also referenced state renewable goals, noting the State aims for 80% electricity from renewables by 2030.
Council discussion focused on balancing solar capacity with community uses and visual impact. The manager asked the council for direction to allow consultants to finalize a preferred layout and cost estimates; the council reached consensus to consolidate panels toward the south end of the park, keep total capacity in the roughly 300 kW range to meet program goals, and prioritize rooftop solar on structures (community garden, shade structures, restrooms and possibly the pump house). Staff will direct consultants to prepare a final master plan and cost estimate for future budgeting.
The council did not adopt a final plan at the meeting; members asked staff and consultants to return a finalized master plan and cost estimates reflecting the consolidated solar placement and capacity guidance.
