Ancram planning board continues public hearing on 1.6 MW solar project, hires outside reviewers

The Ancram Planning Board on Sept. 25 reopened its public hearing on an application from Ancram PV LLC for a community solar installation and accepted additional submissions from neighbors and the applicant.

Rob Ferullo, the project's director, walked board members through supplemental materials including revised civil drawings, 14 publicly accessible vantage points and a two‑mile view‑shed analysis. "Our project is 1.6 megawatts," Ferullo said, and he emphasized that the array occupies about 6 acres of a roughly 90‑acre parcel and that existing topography and vegetation will limit public visibility.

Opponents countered with a rival assessment. Attorney Raya Mallett, representing nearby residents, said the applicant had undercounted visible areas and urged a positive SECRA declaration for additional study. "Keep Ancram the way it looks now," Mallett told the board, arguing the town code requires maximum screening within five years and that utility poles should be underground unless a waiver is justified.

After extended public comment, the board voted to continue the hearing to Nov. 6 to allow staff and consultants time to review the new materials. The board also approved hiring an independent visual‑impact reviewer and a landscape architect to advise on screening and methodology; the consultants will review both the applicant's and the neighbors' submissions before the Nov. 6 meeting.