Burlington Free Press: Charlotte residents raise concerns about solar project

Reposted from the Burlington Free Press.

CHARLOTTE — A public forum held by the Charlotte Selectboard on Monday night unveiled a variety of questions and objections by neighbors of a proposed 345-solar-panel project in East Charlotte.

Two primary concerns related to the appearance of the solar panels without adequate landscaping and their effect on the property values of nearby homes.

Stephen Colvin, owner of a home near the site on Hinesburg Road, said the project would violate community standards in the town plan. The site is active farm land, he said, and should continue in agricultural use.

About the development, Colvin said, “It would affect the reasonable sensibilities of the average person,” and he added that it likely would lower property values of nearby houses.

The project would occupy 15 acres in open meadow, and it would be next to the west side of the Sheehan Green residential development built in the 1990s. It would have, Colvin said, an adverse impact on the rural area, scenic vistas and natural resources that the town plan strives to protect.

The Selectboard forum is likely to be one of many steps in determining the project’s fate.

Discussions began when Solar Charlotte LLC filed a notice at the Charlotte town offices stating it expects to submit a petition in January to the state Public Service Board for a Certificate of Public Good for the 2.2 megawatt solar electric project west of Spear Street and north of Hinesburg Road. The site is a portion of a 46.2-acre tract owned by the Testamentary Trust of Clark Hinsdale Jr., with Clark Hinsdale III as trustee.

Colvin and several other residents asked the Selectboard to send a letter to the Public Service Board asking permission to weigh in on the application.

Resident Tom Nola said the town does not have enough specific details about the project.

“What are the potential expenses for the town?” he asked. “Who is responsible if a strong wind blows a panel into the road and it hits a car? Somebody has to speak up, and that is going to be me,” Nola said.

Hinsdale said the project would be on private property. “The town is not being asked to do anything financial.”

Scott Mapes, an environmental consultant and project manager for Solar Charlotte responded to other questions, saying that it would be possible to shift the location of the panels 250 feet north, creating a 300-foot buffer from homes along Hinesburg Road. Landscape planning had not been completed and would receive attention.

The Public Service Board would require a soil reclamation plan and a decommissioning fund, said Rebecca Boucher, an attorney with Burlington environmental consulting firm Dunkiel, Saunders, Elliott, Raubvogel & Hand.

East Charlotte resident Raven Davis spoke in favor of renewable energy projects that have low environmental impact.

“At some time, we all have to play a part. This impact is modest. We’re not blowing up a mountain,” Davis said.

The Charlotte Planning Commission and Selectboard will hold a joint meeting at 6 p.m. today to decide on contents of a letter to the Public Service Board.