Planning Board

Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — March 3, 2021. The Board met via Zoom videoconference under the Governor’s Executive Orders. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt explained the Zoom procedure, noted the meeting was recorded (to be posted and later transcribed) and minutes were taken, and encouraged verbal public comment.

Public hearing

West Wind Farms Solar Farm Expansion (Tax Map #22.-1-1.121)

Opened at 7:33 PM. Chairman Alessandrini read the Notice of Hearing. Patrick Mulkern, Senior Project Engineer (Maser Consulting), represented applicant and owner Westwind Properties of ENY, LLC; Dan Farnan (Maser Consulting) and Brian Maliszewski were also present. The proposal is a 3-MW DC solar expansion to an existing 2-MW facility on a 181-acre parcel in an RA district on Verbeck Avenue, with the project on 14.6 acres and residual acreage kept in agriculture. The application subdivides the 181-acre parcel into Lot #1 (153.66 acres) and Lot #2 (27.69 acres), with the project in the southern area of Lot #1; the existing 2-MW facility on Lot #2 is under the same ownership and lessee. A Special Use Permit is sought to operate the proposed solar farm on about 14.69± acres of Lot #1 as a separate facility with its own National Grid distribution point. Solar arrays, converters, concrete pads, and a racking system are proposed, with landscape screening (2 rows of Red Cedar, Norway and White Spruce, Eastern White Pine), an 8-ft security fence, and a 14-ft access road. Mr. Mulkern noted the facility is a community solar project open to subscribers. No public comment. Closed at 7:40 PM.

Regular meeting

Convened at 7:40 PM. Members present: Chairman Frank Alessandrini, Wayne Akin, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, and Scott Wiley. Brian Davidson and Robert Weir were absent. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt was present, with applicant representatives and two members of the public via Zoom.

• February 3, 2021 minutes approved as submitted (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Wiley; Nays: none).

Curto Timber Harvest Special Use Permit (Tax Map #10-4-2.2 and 10-4-7)

Applicant Nicholas Curto proposed a selective timber harvest on his 41.073± acre licensed tree farm in an RA district at 599 Knickerbocker Road (1.78 acres reserved for his residence and outbuildings). He presented a PowerPoint of the silviculture selective-harvest plan and submitted a comprehensive review prepared by licensed forester Gregory Monick of Mt. Anthony Consulting Forestry, LLC (Bennington, VT). The harvest of 39 acres would begin Fall 2021 over frozen ground, with no clear cutting, minimal disturbance, no weekend work, five stands, an expected yield of 40,000 board feet plus pulp wood, and 65–75% tree-top canopy retained. Attorney Pratt noted that a 2003 lot-line adjustment annexing 16 acres of the Weir property to Anne and Nicholas Curto, though approved by the Planning Board and conveyed, was never filed with the Rensselaer County Clerk. Mr. Curto said he was aware, had spoken with his attorney, and contacted a surveyor to create the required survey and file it. The Chairman advised Mr. Curto to submit 3 copies for stamping and signature, file two signed copies and a mylar copy with the county, and provide a paper copy for Town records. A public hearing will be scheduled for the April meeting.

Stillwater Renewables – Viall Solar Farm (Tax Map #22-1-7.1)

Dallas Manson (Nexamp, Inc.) discussed the need for a different racking system for the 16-acre Viall Solar Farm on Stillwater Bridge Road (RA district). After a COVID-19 delay, the approved racking system was found unsuitable and obsolete for the 15% sloped topography and would cause more environmental disturbance. A new racking system raises panel height from 12′ to a maximum of 16′4″ (tilting slowly east to west, not remaining at full height all day), exceeding the Solar Law’s 12-ft limit. An application to the ZBA for a 5-ft area variance (to allow a maximum tilted height of 17′) was planned.

West Wind Farms Solar Farm Expansion (Tax Map #22.-1-1.121)

Patrick Mulkern (Maser Consulting) represented applicant and owner Westwind Properties of ENY, LLC; Dan Farnan (Maser Consulting) and applicant Brian Maliszewski (Forefront Power) were present. Laberge Consulting Engineers indicated all concerns were addressed and a SEQRA negative declaration granted. The 14-ft access-road width did not meet Fire Code and had not been approved by Building Inspector Scott Frisino or the Fire Chief, so approval was made a condition. Panel maximum height conforms to 12′ and panels are stationary. The subdivision plat and Laberge reviews were satisfactory. Attorney Pratt read the conditions and adjusted items #12 and #16.

• 14.6± acre subdivision approved (Akin · Wiley — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Wiley; Nays: none).
• Site Plan Approval and Special Use Permit approved for the solar farm expansion on the Czub property on Verbeck Avenue, with conditions to be written by Attorney Pratt (Clow · Wiley — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Wiley; Nays: none).

Other

Chairman Alessandrini noted the Capital District Regional Planning Commission’s Spring webinar series and that registration is open.

Adjourned at 9:04 PM (Wiley · Akin — Ayes: Alessandrini, Akin, Clow, Hale, Wiley; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Planning Board Clerk (dated April 10, 2021).