by Doug La Rocque
That was the unanimous sentiment expressed by those in attendance at a Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), public hearing held Tuesday morning, September 6, at the Brunswick Town Hall. The subject of the hearing was a request by CVE North America for funding as well as both sales tax and mortgage tax exemptions, something the Town of Brunswick vehemently opposed. In a letter to the IDA, Brunswick Town Supervisor Phil Herrington pointed out the solar development firm (which has an approved project yet to be constructed at the end of Belair Lane) already has qualified for a property tax break through the County’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program (PILOT), a reduction he labels as “significant.” He feels additional tax breaks are unwarranted, particularly in light of the fact that the project will not produce any permanent full-time jobs and given the country’s current economic woes, something the Town, County and school district simply cannot afford. He further pointed out IDA approval could open the proverbial floodgates for other solar companies to follow suit. This is the first and only such solar application pending in front of the IDA. Brunswick currently has several such solar projects either constructed, approved, or in the pipeline. Likewise, for several other County towns.
Didn’t See This Coming
Speaking to IDA Representative Luke Ashby, the Town’s Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals Attorney Andy Gilchrist also pointed out that during CVE North America’s application process there was no mention of a pending IDA request, something he stated should have been part of the financial aspects as the Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) review. Attorney Gilchrist reinforced his argument by pointing out the amount of work that had to be done before the solar project was approved, including a required zoning change by the Town Board.
In Defense of the Application
Carson Weinand of CVE North America spoke in defense of their application procedure, noting they felt it was not a necessary component of the EAF and pointing out they have several other projects in western and central New York, which all have their particular county’s IDA approval. To that, former Deputy Town Supervisor Pat Poleto responded that whatever other counties may have chosen to do, does not make it incumbent on Rensselaer County to follow suit. The full IDA Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 8, with the CVE North America application on their agenda.
Planning Board Holds Quick Meeting
As was indicated, the CVE North America commercial solar project gained final Planning Board approval earlier this year. At the Planners’ Thursday, September 1 meeting, Atlas Renewables, which is seeking to construct a commercial solar facility on property located off Oakwood Avenue and Farrell Road, was back to answer any final questions and concerns before the Planning Board makes a decision on their EAF, scheduled for the Board’s September 15 meeting. EAF approval is required before the Planners can act on the special use and site plan application.