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Abutters once expressed concern about the 75-foot frustration in solar farm applications, but these distances have since increased significantly.
Farmington-On Wednesday, November 3, the electors voted 3-1 not to suspend the solar farm.
Those in favor are Selectmen Michael Fogg, Scott Landry and Matthew Smith. Selectman Joshua Bell was opposed, and Selectman Stephan Bunker was absent.
At the October 26 meeting, several landowners expressed their concerns about another solar project being proposed in the town to the board of directors. The day before, Clearwater Solar Partners, under the care of Allen Tate of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, submitted an application for a solar farm.
The proposed site is the former Nusman Farm on Highways 2 and 27, Farmington Falls Road, near the intersection of Davis Road. Approximately 33 acres of the 240 acres owned by Bill Stasiowski and Anne Myers of West Newbury, Massachusetts will be used.
Some opponents of the proposed location, including Adrian Harris and Rob Martin, attended the October 20th Divisional Committee meeting to discuss their concerns, but the committee took no action. The bystander asked the selector to increase the frustration from 75 feet to 500 feet. They also recommended a suspension.
Since the question was submitted to the zoning committee before the application was submitted, the selection staff agreed to consult the town’s lawyers on the suspension of the application.
"We are working hard to ensure that we are integrated into your community," Tate said on Wednesday. "Since we applied, we have taken some measures on the initial project."
He said that the retreat distance of Harris' residence is now 520 feet and 1,338 feet from Martin's home. Tate pointed out that the fields next to Martin's will be reserved for cattle pastures, and there will be plenty of wooded buffer zones.
He said that changing to a 500-foot retreat "basically kills a lot of development activity."
According to the legal service information of the Maine Municipal Association, the requirements for issuing a suspension of development are:
The MMA's information states that any one of these reasons is sufficient, but if there is a factual basis, the municipality should use both as a reason for the suspension.
Selectman Chairman Matthew Smith said that these are not suitable here. "If I say I really like the appearance of (solar panels), then I'm lying. I am an open space man, a lumberjack."
Electors will have to convene a special town meeting, where voters can decide to implement a six-month suspension of solar projects. If more time is needed, the electors can extend the suspension period without voting in towns.
"You don't know its scale until you see it," Selectman Joshua Bell said. He supports the idea of a suspension to allow time to review what happened, make a zoning decision on the solar project, and determine what the town wants.
Smith said that in addition to the solar projects on Sandy River Farm and the town’s landfill, two other projects have been approved but have not yet broken ground. Town manager Christian Waller pointed out that changes to the zoning regulations will not affect these projects.
Selectman Michael Fogg said that if he wants to buy land but cannot cultivate it, he has the opportunity to lease it for solar energy. "I will stay as far away as possible, but I want to build a solar farm. You are not happy, but this is my decision for economic benefit."
A resident talked about the possibility of property devaluation. Another requested changes before the next solar project entered.
Smith said zoning and other regulations will be reviewed this winter.
Waller said the public is encouraged to work with the board to ensure that the desired changes are included.
The planning committee will consider Clearwater solar applications when it meets on Monday.
Smith said that if the problem persists, the selection staff can reconsider the solar suspension.
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