The large open farmland on Marion Road once slated for a farmers market and café will likely be lined with solar arrays and enclosed by a wooden stockade fence come this time next year.
Craig Canning, owner of Rochester Farms, had Rochester Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals approval to construct a relatively large-scale retail farmers market with café back in 2017. The Cutlers across the road, however, were against the project from the start, appealing both boards’ approval in court and eventually settling with Canning who withdrew his approved applications without prejudice.
The Cutlers once commented during a public hearing that they would prefer to see a stockade fence than a farmers market – their wish may soon be granted.
Canning had alluded to the possibility of a solar array field after the prior project was quelled. On January 8, engineer Bob Rogers was before the Rochester Planning Board with an Approval Not Required application to carve 2.83 acres from the 60-acre property to convey to an abutter, and board Chairman Arnie Johnson said Rochester Farms would be at the next meeting for an informal discussion on a large-scale solar array project.
The public hearing for Decas Real Estate, 15 Cranberry Highway, for a Site Plan Review application to redevelop the existing building to accommodate Countryside Daycare was continued until January 22.
The public hearing for the 22-duplex age-restricted residential development beside Plumb Corner Mall on Rounseville Road was continued until February 26 at the request of the applicant, REpurpose Properties, LLC.
The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for January 22 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Planning Board
By Jean Perry