A Community Solar Project And An Awning Company Gain Approval
By Doug La Rocque
There were five items brought before the Brunswick Planning Board at its Thursday, October 17 meeting, with two gaining the planners’ approval, two being told they have more work to do and a brewery proposal just starting its trek through the process.
Borrego Solar’s plan to develop a community solar project at the end of Dusenberry Lane in proximity to Bald Mountain Road was finally approved, after several weeks of back and forth, a joint public hearing with the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals and many conditions placed on it. Two of the major concerns voiced by neighbors dealt with the project’s visibility from their homes and damage by construction vehicles to Dusenberry Lane. One of the conditions is that Borrego Solar must return the road to its original condition once that construction is complete, and they must sign a PILOT agreement with the town. (Payment in Lieu of Taxes).
The Board also gave its conditional approve to Dan Levesque’s plans to move his 4th Generation Awning business, along with another company, Dan Dan the Gutter Man, into the former Marshall’s Auto Body Shop at 853 Hoosick Road. It was decided that it was not a significant enough change in use to require a public hearing.
Not Yet, Mr. Carbone
Actually, the Carbone Family no longer owns the car dealership, also located on Hoosick Road, but a site plan filed when they did, and the lack of completion of some aspects of that plan, is keeping the new owners from installing a free standing car wash, not planned for public use.
The problem is the area that was supposed to be paved for parking of overflow vehicles, employees and such, never was completely finished. That has resulted in cars being parked on the grass, something the planners won’t green light. The dealership is now proposing they put down an oil and stone base instead of pavement, something the Board’s engineer Wayne Bonesteel said should also be fog sealed, a light application of a diluted slow-setting asphalt emulsion to the surface. It was also requested that no cars be stored along the sides of the building, with that area marked no parking, emergency vehicles only.
An application for a ground mounted small-scale solar operation, submitted by Seed Solar, met opposition from a resident about visibility issues. The Board asked if the homeowner at 4 Winfield Lane would be willing to plant trees or shrubs as a visual barrier. His representative said the answer was no. The Board took no action, asking instead the homeowner reconsider his position.
The planners also looked at preliminary plans from Tri-Focal Brewery, who would like to open a small brewery and tap house on its property along Brick Church Road. After the Board’s feedback, they plan to return with a complete site plan application.