TOWN OF MANLIUS – By a vote of four to three on Aug. 11, the Manlius Town Board decided against the institution of a six-month moratorium on the processing of commercial solar array applications.
So far, the site plans and special permits for five solar farms within the town’s boundaries have been fully approved, but under the moratorium, the pending proposals for an 86-acre solar park on Salt Springs Road and a roughly 240-acre farm off Duguid Road would have been halted in their tracks.
The town board was originally spurred on by members of the town’s planning board to consider such a stoppage, though the chairman of the latter, Joseph Lupia, later revised his approving stance after a four-week stretch of additional research.
Lupia stated in an email to town councilors that he could not lend any credibility to the various objections raised about solar farms, particularly those relating to toxic bleaching, solar glare, noise and danger to wildlife.
During the Aug. 11 meeting, councilor John Deer said such concerns have also been dispelled by experts the town board has met with in recent months.
Deer, who voted “no” on the moratorium, said that enough of a pause has already been taken in the area with regard to solar and that the planning board can talk about each farm’s setbacks and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods on a one-by-one basis, just like they would with any other development.
He also said that he welcomed the public input on the matter, specifically a petition signed by over 300 townspeople and the rally held shortly before the July 28 public hearing.
Councilors Heather Allison Waters and Elaine Denton both voted “no” as well, having separately arrived at the same conclusion that the solar code enacted by the town in 2016 could use an update, though not to the extent that a six-month moratorium would be needed to focus on the improvements.
While she did refer to a moratorium as a “wise” move that ensures the time is taken to confirm correct steps are followed, councilor Katelyn Kriesel said that the town has made enough headway with its solar code to justify speedier, pacesetting action.
“I feel that not only are the interests of our planet aligned with our community but that we in the town of Manlius can be leaders in the effort against climate change,” Kriesel said.
In defense of a six-month moratorium, Town Supervisor Ed Theobald said questions linger about solar power plants, leaving more to be learned on the town’s part.
Councilor Sara Bollinger said the financial package and the host community agreements need clearing up too, while fellow councilor Karen Green said six months is ample time to grasp how a commitment to solar arrays would have impacted the lives of every resident in town.
Despite the split vote, the seven members of the town board spoke in favor of climate action and the implementation of solar energy, whether eventual or more immediate.
