HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. draft Preliminary Site Plan reso- Bomber Heights Solar
PROPOSED RESOLUTION: Preliminary Site Plan Approval
Bomber Heights Large-Scale Solar Energy System
Tax Parcel No. 49.-1-26.2
Troy Road, between Coddington and King Road E
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, September 1, 2026
WHEREAS:
1. This action involves consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed Bomber
Heights Solar large-scale community solar photovoltaic system project, located on Troy Road,
between Coddington Road and King Road East, in the Low Density Residential Zone and Large-
Scale Photovoltaic Solar Energy System Overlay District. The project involves installing a
5MWac single-axis sun tracking solar array system on approximately 31+/- acres of land, along
with two inverter/transformer equipment pads, battery energy storage, new utility (NYSEG)
poles, eight-foot-tall fencing, stormwater management facilities, access drive, and other site
elements. Troy Heights, LLC, 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
the environmental review with respect to this project on September 1, 2026, 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 1, 2026, has reviewed and
accepted as adequate an application narrative titled “Project Overview and Narrative, Bomber
Heights Solar, Troy Road, Town of Ithaca, NY,” a set of drawings titled “Bomber Heights Solar,
Troy Road, Ithaca, NY,14850” prepared by LaBella, dated December 2025, and most recently
updated 07/10/2026, including sheets C001, C100-C101, C200-C203, C401-C407, C501-504,
L101-103; Line of Sight Profile Plans, prepared by LaBella, dated December 2025; Photo
Simulations, prepared by Saratoga Associates, dated 3/10/2026 and 4/08/2026; a Wetlands
Delineation Report, Decommissioning Plan, Glint and Glare Study, Operations and Maintenance
Plan, Battery Energy Storage System Emergency Response 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 Bomber Heights Solar project, located on Troy Road, between Coddington Road and
King Road East, as described in the materials listed in Whereas #3 above, subject to the
following conditions:
Before final site plan approval:
1. [Planning Board should discuss] Submission of a Vegetation management plan in
accordance with Town Code § 270-219.1G(2)(c)[5][b][i], including a tree survey that
shows:
(a) Specific trees proposed for removal that are larger than 3 inches DBH
(b) Specific labels for any trees that could be suitable roosting sites for the endangered
Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB) or tri-colored bats, and
Pg. 2
(c) Any other areas proposed for clear-cutting,
2. Receipt of any necessary variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals,
3. Submission to, and approval by, the Town of Ithaca Engineering Department, of all items
listed in the memo dated August 19, 2026, from Charles A. White, P.E., Barton &
Loguidice, D.P.C, to Justin McNeal, Director of Engineering,
4. Submission of lighting specification and cut sheets for all proposed outdoor lighting
associated with the project – all proposed lighting shall conform to Town Code Chapter 173,
Outdoor Lighting,
Prior to any site disturbance:
5. To mitigate potential impacts on any roosting habitats for the NLEB and tri-colored bats, the
applicant shall:
Minimize clearing- leave as many potential roosts as possible, including snag and
cavity trees,
[Planning Board should discuss/consider one or the other condition] Either all site
disturbance should take place between Nov. 1 and March 31, or an acoustic bat survey
should be conducted between May 15 and August 15 to determine presence or possible
absence of bats, and
If any roosts are discovered after March 31, then there shall be no site disturbance
during pup season (July 1- Aug 15),
6. Confirm during the growing season (between May and July) that the project site does not
contain glaucous or reflexed sedges, which are threatened plant species per the NYS DEC,
Before issuance of a building permit:
7. Submission to the Planning Department of any required stream or wetland permit
documentation issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
and/or the Army Corps of Engineers,
8. Approval of the Decommissioning Plan and Bond by the Attorney for the Town and the
Town Engineer,
9. All pollinator seed mixes applied after construction shall contain plant species preferred by
the monarch butterfly; and proposed herbicide application shall not be harmful to
pollinators,
10. Submission to the Planning Department of a copy of Tompkins County Highway
Construction Permit(s), and
11. Scheduling of a coordination meeting with the Applicant’s Environmental Monitor, and the
Town Engineering, Planning, and Codes Departments.