Planning Board discusses solar farm, property values

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains Planning Board held a workshop meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 25, concerning the Carson Power solar project in particular. 

The first item to be discussed was whether a comment made pertaining to a study mentioned during the Sept. 13 public hearing was admissible, as the comment came after the public hearing was closed. It was determined by the board, and agreed to by the applicants and attorneys, that the material and research could be referenced but the commentaries coming after the public hearing had closed would not be part of the record.

The material in question had to do with a Berkeley Lab study on the influence a large solar farm has on property values in the surrounding area. It was determined by members of the board that property values have been going up since the advent of COVID-19: the bubble will burst at some point, and property values will then begin to drop.

The distance a home is from a solar farm has something to do with how the property value is determined, but very little; the actual appearance of the solar farm can have an effect on property values, but Carson Power has promised that it will attend to landscaping to make the area as attractive and as inconspicuous as possible.

Carson Power has also negotiated with conservationists and will adhere to conservation principles favored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and conservationists so that the impact on the environment is minimal. It was mentioned some studies have shown that property values have actually increased when solar power has been instituted in a given area. It was also noted that this is an elastic situation and there is margin for error.

After reading through the materials in question, it was agreed that nothing had changed and a conditional approval could be made, although the board wants to see an actual conservation plan, environmental protection as represented by special permit, and they want to see what is actually filed. 

It was further restated, as it had been in prior meetings, that the fire chief said proposed road access to the site was 10% above the grade that is necessary for access, not just for EMS vehicles, but for all emergency vehicles.

Further questions were asked about the possibility of the town finding a beekeeper to help pollination propagation at the site. It could be in the buffer zone, outside the fence line. There would have to be insurance in case of injury with mowing or maintenance and the bees.

A motion was passed for a special draft resolution allowing the application to go forward; a formal resolution and vote will be made at the regular Wednesday, Nov. 8, Planning Board meeting.

A mention was made of the day care proposed for the town on Pilcher Drive. There has been a site visit by two board members, who claim there is an invasive plant species in the playground area but that it is not toxic, and this will be brought up at the Nov. 8 meeting when the applicant will be on hand and a resolution concerning the day care may be made.