In a short but well-attended meeting Tuesday, Rochester’s Conservation Commission approved an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation confirming the bordering vegetated wetlands boundaries at a new address on Walnut Plain Road for an application from Walnut Plain Road Solar LLC.
Concerned abutters filled the meeting room as project representative Andrew Gorman explained via Zoom that the property is “entirely forested.” The map he presented on the Zoom screen indicated the wetland areas on the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the project footprint.
Rochester Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly, who inspected the site work, confirmed it was “a good delineation. A little complicated but it made sense.” The commission, directed by Acting Chair Ben Bailey, easily accepted the delineation after no follow-up questions.
After the vote, Bailey advised the residents in attendance that this is merely approval of the wetland’s delineation, and they should return to comment when the board reviews the developer’s actual plans for the site. The abutters said they are there to express concerns about yet another solar energy installation coming to town.
In related action that also drew the residents’ attention, the commission continued to its next meeting its Public Hearing on the Notice of Intent application for proposed work on an access road for a ground-mounted solar array in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road upon the applicant’s request. The proposal by Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables includes work within bordering vegetated wetlands, the 200-foot riverfront area associated with an on-site perennial stream, as well as within a local 25-foot No Disturb zone.
The commission also continued until the next meeting its Notice of Intent hearing filed by Sealord Enterprises, LLC for construction of a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities and stormwater management system at a new address on Cranberry Highway within 100 feet of wetlands.
The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco