Of Solar Arrays and Historic Properties

Last night, East Light Partners (ELP), the solar energy company proposing to erect solar arrays adjacent to Route 9 and the grounds of the Dr. Oliver Bronson House, made their second appearance before the Greenport Planning Board. As at the previous meeting, the members of the Planning Board expressed concern about the visual impacts of the proposed project,  from Route 9, from the Dr. Oliver Bronson House and Olana, and from the National Register-listed, privately owned Henry A. and Evanlina Dubois House across Route 9 from the site.

East Light Partners, Jamie Fordyce and Wendy De Wolf, presented plans that had been modified since the previous meeting. The revised plans included visual screening--a double row of 6-foot high Norwegian spruce trees along Route 9 and along the side of the array facing the Bronson House--and "undergrounding" to reduce the number of utility poles from six to three. They had also submitted letters from Scenic Hudson, The Olana Partnership, and Historic Hudson attesting that Fordyce and De Wolf had sought their input on the project. The letter from Jeff Anzevino of Scenic Hudson reads in part:

We were pleased that in order to avoid visual impacts to the Plumb Bronson House, ELP no longer proposes solar panels in the north field. ELP also indicated to us that they would plant trees and additional screening of the remaining panels to prevent visibility from the Plumb Bronson House and grounds, as well as from Route 9. We reviewed the applicant's visual simulations of views from the Olana State Historic Site; based on those simulations, Scenic Hudson is not concerned that the solar facility will adversely impact views from Olana. 

The proposed facility is on former agricultural lands, part of which include soils of statewide significance. The applicant should be required to use construction methods and facility design that will not compact soils so that when the facility is no longer needed it can be decommissioned and the land again available for agriculture. We noted during our site visit the presence of extensive meadows of "pollinator-friendly" wildflowers. It is important that these wildflower meadows will persist between and around the rows of solar panels. . . .

Jamie and Wendy have been eager to work with us to ensure that the project's impacts can be avoided or mitigated. Scenic Hudson appreciates that they have amended the plan by removing from consideration panels in the north field. We hope the planning board and ELP will work together to ensure that additional trees and other vegetation will further buffer the remaining panels from view from both the Plumb Bronson House and landscape, as well as Route 9. Likewise, it will be important to ensure that when the facility is no longer needed, that the panels and other facilities can be decommissioned in such a way that the site can once again be farmed. . . .

Ed Stiffler, chair of the Greenport Planning Board, told Fordyce and De Wolf that "the letters don't really say they approve of what you're doing." He requested additional letters, specifically from Historic Hudson and Olana, "saying they have no concerns, or, if they do, what concerns they are."

Ray Jurkowski, the consulting engineer for the Greenport Planning Board, urged Fordyce and De Wolf "to take a very close look at the landscaping plan." He suggested that six-foot spruce trees would not be tall enough to obstruct the view of the panels. Planning Board member Sandy Kipp wanted the site plan approval to specify that if a tree were to die, it must be replaced. She also reiterated Scenic Hudson's concern about the wildflowers and returning the site to farmland when the facility is decommissioned.

East Light Partners is expected to be back before the Greenport Planning Board on Tuesday, September 25. The regular meeting of the board begins at 7:30 p.m. in Greenport Town Hall.
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