Rochester’s Planning Board meeting on Tuesday started and ended with a focus on solar energy installation proposals.
`The board opened with an informal discussion of a Site Plan Review proposal to build a one-megawatt, ground-mounted solar array on Walnut Plain Road. The installation will be just under 10 acres and located across from the small cemetery there, said project representative Sarah Stern. The board’s lone question came from Chair Arnold Johnson who asked if the site’s utilities would be underground. “Wherever it can be done,” Stern responded. She said the formal application is currently being worked on.
Next, the board continued to April 28 its hearing into a modification of the Definitive Subdivision permit for the previously approved Snipatuit Pond Estates at Gerrish and Bishop Road after it made a special request of the developer. Developer Robert Pellegrini’s proposal is to swap two parcels of open space to create a 3.578-acre buildable lot on one of them. On Tuesday, the board requested that Pellegrini place all but the new house lot under a conservation restriction as a permit condition. The board instructed Pellegrini to return with what that plan would look like.
The board then began a Site Plan Review and Special Permit hearing for High Street Solar 2 at 0 High St. This plan is part of two applications for a ground-mounted solar array to include a battery storage system on that street. The notice for “site one” was opened at the board’s March 24 meeting. Tuesday’s hearing began a review of Site Two, the northern lots near Mayflower Lane. Project representative Sarah Stern, who is also overseeing the Walnut Road solar plan, reported that High Street Solar planners are removing the emergency access road that was once planned on Mayflower Lane, which is also eliminating wetlands resource impacts its installation might cause. The total property is 120 acres; the installation will cover 20 acres, she said.
A roomful of residents raised objections that included what will noise decibel levels be like. Abutter Peter Sherlock asked if the battery system pad planned for the site could be moved south, further away from residents. Stern indicated that change was possible.
Johnson said in conclusion that more information on the plan’s final design will come out after the town engineer’s peer review, which has yet to start. Stern requested a continuance of this hearing to Apr. 28. Johnson said that is the date of the Site One continuance. The peer review engineer will need the extra time, he said. The board continued the Site Two hearing to May 12.
In other action, the board continued to April 28 the Site Plan Review hearing on a proposal to clear and re-grade land behind town hall for an 8,220-square foot parking lot.
The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 pm in Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Planning Board
By Michael J. DeCicco