Solar farms in Cochecton?

LINDA DROLLINGER
Posted 8/21/12

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Cochecton town board was well on the way to setting an all-time record for brevity at its February 10 meeting, when code enforcement officer Greg Semenetz walked in. He …

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Solar farms in Cochecton?

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Cochecton town board was well on the way to setting an all-time record for brevity at its February 10 meeting, when code enforcement officer Greg Semenetz walked in. He told the four board members present (Anna Story was absent) that a town property owner has signed a lease agreement for a 10-plus acre solar array, and that a solar farm permit application will soon be submitted to the town’s planning board.

“You have to decide whether or not you want to permit solar farms in the town of Cochecton,” said Semenetz to the board.

At present, Cochecton has ordinances pertaining only to residential and agricultural solar installations, applicable to properties where solar energy is produced and wholly consumed onsite, or the solar array produces enough energy to serve the home or farm but not much more.

No ordinances regulating solar farms, properties that produce a lot of solar energy for sale to utility companies, currently exist on town books.

“We knew this was coming. We just didn’t think it would be so soon,” said Supervisor Gary Maas.

“Cochecton is not the only town dealing with this issue; landowners in most of the towns in Sullivan County have been approached by energy companies seeking sites for solar farms,” said Semenetz.

In response to board member questions about issues at stake, Semenetz said that ecological impact should be first and foremost, as solar arrays require clear-cutting, which in turn often causes storm water runoff and erosion problems, both for the property on which it occurs and those adjacent to it.

Maas seemed more concerned with a possible decline in assessed valuation of properties hosting and surrounding solar farms. In answer to Maas’ concern, Semenetz said that assessor Lorry King had just attended an information session for assessors on that very topic.

“How much time do we have to make a decision?” Maas asked Semenetz.

“Less than 60 days,” said Semenetz, who then outlined the process leading to commercial permit application.

Per Semenetz, clear-cutting any property of 10 acres or more triggers a 60-day review by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Not until the DEC has completed its review may an applicant petition the town planning board for a solar farm permit.

“I suggest that the town board hold a joint meeting with the planning board at the next meeting of the planning board,” said Semenetz.

“I agree,” said Maas. “And I plan to sit down with Lorry [King, the tax assessor] as soon as possible, to get her take on the assessment implications for solar farms.”

If the two boards decide to permit solar farms, they must form a consensus on the conditions under which those farms may operate.

And, as Semenetz pointed out, even green technologies come with environmental challenges. Spent solar panels contain hazardous materials requiring safe disposal procedures. “Among other things, we have to stipulate who will be responsible for disposal and how and when it will take place,” said Semenetz.

The planning board’s next scheduled meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on February 25. All planning board meetings are open to the public. For more information, see townofcochectonny.org/boards/planboard.

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