Fourth Commercial Solar Farm Proposed
by Doug La Rocque
Following the Brunswick Planning Board’s November 5 meeting, there were many items on the agenda for the Thursday, November 19 session, but because of one reason or the other, all but one dropped off. What remained was a proposal to construct a commercial solar facility on Oakwood Avenue. Atlas Renewables, LLC wants to build a 5 KW Solar Farm using 14,840 panels on the site of the former Troy incinerator and landfill. Their appearance before the board was of a sketch plan nature, somewhat of an informational session to introduce the concept and receive the board’s feedback before actually filing a site plan and special use application. One of main components of this moving forward, is what is called a “brownfield” study by the NYS Department of Conservation (DEC). This would tell the applicants actually what DEC would want done to the site in order to proceed. The applicants are still awaiting the results.
The Board also had some questions about set back from the road and its visibility from Oakwood Avenue and the apartments that would be across the road from it. Atlas Renewables spokesman John Watson said the project would have 200 feet of screening and a buffer around the plant. The planners also made it clear they would have to file for a full site plan review, which includes the long form version of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) as well as negotiating a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreement with Rensselaer County, the town and the Lansingburgh School District.
The other three solar facilities are on lands off NYS Route 278 (Brick Church Road) Dusenberry Lane and behind the Hope Methodist Church in Eagle Mills.
The only other action before the Board that night, was a minor three lot subdivision request on Sweet Milk Creek Road.