TOWN OF MANLIUS – In an attempt to revive the Bowman Road solar project, the Manlius Town Board has proposed changes to the town’s solar code which would allow any solar project proposed on town-owned land to proceed without planning board oversight. This change would allow the town board, not the planning board, to provide the necessary approvals for the 17-acre solar array to move forward.
The solar array would be sited on the town’s capped landfill, which is currently a grassy field. The site is easily seen from homes in the Clark Hill and Star View Estates neighborhoods, and because of elevation changes, it is difficult to screen.
During the initial phases of the site plan review, several members of the planning board appeared to view the project unfavorably because of its impact on the viewshed of surrounding neighborhoods. On Monday night, several members of the planning board expressed their anger with the town board’s proposed usurpation of their responsibilities.
Lupia said the planning board had received correspondence from 235 residents. Of the 145 who opposed the project, 63 were from the Clark Hill neighborhood and 45 were from Star View Estates. Many of the letters that favored the project appeared to be form letters written from people who didn’t live near the project, Lupia said.
“This board has and is strongly in favor of solar energy and solar projects, when appropriate,” Lupia said, noting that the board has approved more than 29 megawatts of solar power. “If this proposed law change passes, the public needs to understand that the vast experience of the members of this board will be usurped, and we will be circumvented.”
He also noted that the new law would allow the town board to approve this project without holding a public hearing on the proposal.
“Eliminating the say of the people is a dangerous form of government,” Lupia said.
“It’s not only bypassing, it’s setting a terrible example for people to decide that they have the power, they want this to happen, and we apparently are obstructionists,” said planning board member Arnie Poltenson. “I take this personally. I’m upset that the board would do something that arbitrary, silly, capricious, juvenile.”
Last Wednesday, two residents came before the town board to express their opposition to the project.
“We all see this land. It’s a prize in our development,” said Dave Taylor, whose home overlooks the site of the proposed solar array. “Now you’re planning something like 12,000 solar panels on 17 acres and it’s not supposed to affect us?”
“We’re trying to address as much of the viewshed issues as we can,” Supervisor John Deer responded. “We’re still going to work with residents to do everything we can to mitigate the impacts.”
“The overwhelming conclusion of the majority of people who spoke to us about this issue is that this is what they want,” said Councilor Bill Nicholson.
Councilor Heather Waters said it was the board’s “mandate” to move aggressively on climate change issues, noting that the town board members who were elected last fall ran, in part, on a platform of sustainability.
“I promise you that I have thought about whether or not I would want these in my backyard, and I would,” Waters said. “I feel we are part of the solution.”
The town board will hold a public hearing on the changes to the solar code on March 23.
