HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB 2023-025 Preliminary Site Plan Approval - Carrowmoor Solar ArrayPB RESOLUTION 2023 - 025: Preliminary Site Plan Approval
Carrowmoor Large-Scale Solar Energy System
Tax Parcel No. 27.-1-15.2
1358 Mecklenburg Road
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, September 5, 2023
WHEREAS:
1. This action involves consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed
Carrowmoor large-scale community solar photovoltaic system project, located at 1358
Mecklenburg Road. The project involves installing a 5MWac single-axis sun tracking solar
array system on approximately 30-acres of land, along with two inverter/transformer
equipment pads, solar energy battery storage, new overhead utility (NYSEG) interconnects
and poles, an eight-foot-tall perimeter fence, stormwater management facilities, access drive,
and other site elements. Rancich Family Limited Partnership, Owner; Nexamp Solar,
Applicant; Ryan McCune, Agent;
2. This is a Type I Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as lead agency
in coordinating the environmental review with respect to this project, has on September 5,
2023, made a negative determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed
and accepted as adequate a Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the
applicant, Parts 2 and 3, prepared by Town Planning staff, and other application materials;
and
3. The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on September 5, 2023, has reviewed and
accepted as adequate an application narrative titled “Project Overview and Narrative,
Carrowmoor Solar, Mecklenburg Road, Town of Ithaca, NY,” a set of drawings titled
“Carrowmoor Solar, 1340 Mecklenburg Road, Ithaca, NY,” prepared by LaBella, dated
06/27/23 and most recently updated 08/09/23, including sheets C001, C002, C101-102,
C201-C203, C301-302, C501-504, a Decommissioning Plan, a Glint and Glare Study, an
Operations and Maintenance Plan, and other application materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the
proposed Carrowmoor Solar project, located at 1358 Mecklenburg Road, as described in the
materials listed in Whereas #3 above, subject to the following conditions:
Before final site plan approval:
1. Submission to the Town of Ithaca Engineering Department of the additional details related
to the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) noted in the memo written to Ryan
McCune, Nexamp, from Daniel Thaete and David O’Shea, dated July 18, 2023; and
approval of the SWPPP by the Town Engineer,
2. Revision of all drawings to include the correct address for the property - 1358 Mecklenburg
Road, and revision of the following drawings to include:
PB 2023-025 (Filed 9/11)Pg. 2
(a) The correct height of the proposed fence (Sheet C201 indicates that it is 7ft tall, all
other materials state that it is 8ft tall),
(b) A revised screening/planting plan that:
i. relocates all screening along Mecklenburg Road to near the southern fence line of
the arrays, except screening shall remain along Mecklenburg Road to screen
facilities at the point of interconnection,
ii. extends screening from the north-south tree line behind the Bem/Littlefield
properties, east to the north-south tree line east of the arrays, and
iii. specifies more than one type of deer resistant, native species that provide year-
round screening and are a minimum of six feet tall at planting,
(c) Notes on Sheets C201, C202, C301, C302, and the construction detail sheets to
reference invasive species control methods, including cleaning all equipment before
leaving the project site,
3. Submission of a revised Decommissioning Plan (and any other related plans) that removes
all references to chain-link fencing – Town Code, §270-219.1, prohibits such fencing except
around the energy storage enclosure (may be chain-link, max. 7ft tall, with self-locking
gate),
4. Submission of lighting specification and cut sheets for all proposed outdoor lighting
associated with the project (including lights proposed for utility poles indicated on the
plans) – all proposed lighting shall conform to Town Code Chapter 173, Outdoor Lighting,
Before issuance of a building permit:
5. Submission to the Planning Department of a Jurisdictional Determination letter issued by
the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) that confirms that the ACOE concurs that the project
will not impact any wetlands,
6. Submission to the Planning Department of a copy of NYSDOT Highway work permit,
7. Scheduling of a pre-construction meeting with the Town Engineering, Planning, and Codes
Departments, and
8. Approval of the Decommissioning Plan and Bond by the Attorney for the Town and the
Engineering Department.
Moved: Ariel Casper Seconded: Bill Arms
Vote: ayes – Casper, Arms, McGurk, Wilcox, Bageant and Cameron