North Adams Planners Delay Decision on Private Solar Array
 Engineer Christopher Tait explains the placement of a 650 kW solar array on land of Reservoir Road. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board on Monday continued a proposal on a private solar array to allow more time for answers and comments.
Borrego Solar Systems Inc., which is also proposing a 3.5 megawatt array on the city's closed landfill, had been planning two 650-kilowatt arrays on private land.
The applicant asked to withdraw without prejudice the array proposed for West Shaft Road, which the board approved, and presented the one for Reservoir Road.
The 121 5-by-6-foot panels would be installed on 3 acres of a 26-acre wooded property off Reservoir Road.
Engineer Christopher Tait of Doucet & Associates, engineer for the project, said another seven acres would be cleared on the south and west sides to prevent the panels from being shaded.
The three acres would be fenced and seeded with wild grass; the other seven would be left with stumps and allowed to grow brush. Tait said the area would be mowed probably twice a year.
The size of the array is tied to certain beneficial incentives, said Amy McDonough, senior project developer for Borrego, so would not be expanded.
The project ran into opposition from residents along Rock Street who are concerned with water runoff.
"It can't carry the load now of the runoff," said Marie Harpin, who said the street frequently floods from water coming off Reservoir Road.
Neal Crosier said the catch basin clogs up and is unable to handle large amounts of water.
"When it rains, the whole street floods," he said.
Tait said studies indicated that array would not increase runoff.
He said he looked over the area and noticed erosion, but it did not appear to coming from the wooded area where the array would be built.
"There is a lot of erosion along the north side," Tait said "I didn't see any erosion coming down that cart path [on the property]."
"It shows there won't be any more [water] than there was before."
Steve Long, an engineer with Borrego, said the panels are not considered impervious and would have 24-inch high grass around them.
"You're not going to be getting anymore water of that hill than you are now," he said.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said he had made it clear there needed to be a good plan for water mitigation.
"Things have changed up in that area" because of Tropical Storm Irene, he said. "We are concerned about that but we also think these folks can engineer a plan that would keep the water flowing away from the homes we think are being affected."
Attorney Elisabeth Goodman, representing abuttor Ross Ziskind, said Borrego had agreed to request a postponement of a decision until next month, which McDonough acknowledged.
"We have other issues and we're reserving our comments," Goodman said.
Harpin agreed, saying she would like to see a plan in place for water mitigation.
Tait said Borrego could only control its own site and show that it would not increase runoff. He said he would speak with the city's Department of Public Works and the state Department of Transportation, which had repaired a section of the road.
Planner Jay Walsh also asked for an illustration of how the array would appear from different angles, expressing concern it would mar the scenic view.
The board voted to postpone.
Chairman Michael Leary said it would be helpful for Borrego to work with Department of Public Works in the next month, "so we can all have an idea of what's happening and the city could move forward with you."
Tags: Planning Board, solar array,
