Warriors Mark supervisors deny conditional use for Clover Hill solar array

The Warriors Mark Township Board of Supervisors voted on June 2 to deny Gap Brothers Holdings LLC’s conditional use application to install a solar array on the Clover Hill property. The motion to deny was made by Supervisor Hockenberry, seconded by Supervisor Liese, and recorded as carried with the vote of Chairman Neff.

Opponents had warned the board during public comment that the project would reduce property values, damage prime agricultural soils and alter stormwater flows. Resident Blaine Schleiden told the board an appraisal showed "a $70,000 reduction in his value" if a visible solar array were placed nearby. John Brodzina said consultant testimony conflicted with Penn State and USDA findings and argued that excavation and filling to drain stormwater could "never be able to be put back to agricultural use." After the vote Brodzina said opponents plan to appeal the decision.

The denial followed an executive session at which the board considered the conditional use application. The meeting minutes record the board adjourned into executive session at 7:33 p.m. and resumed at 8:32 p.m. The minutes state the board "voted to vote against conditional approval of the solar farm." The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.