The other proposal comes from American Flatbread at the Lareau Farm to
install 15 solar trackers in the field to the north of the farm. The
proposal goes to the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) for
consideration and, ultimately, approval. The town was notified by the
PSB that the application had been submitted.
Since solar trackers
have begun appearing in The Valley, some in prominently visible
locations along the Route 100 scenic corridor, questions about siting
and aesthetics have been raised.
To say that sentiments ran hotly
against more of these trackers in the scenic corridor and in an
agricultural field at this week's meeting in Waitsfield would be an
understatement.
By state statute, the PSB approves these
applications and notifies towns and abutters to such projects. While the
PSB will site and review projects with guidance from local Town Plans,
the PSB has the ultimate authority regarding approvals.
The PSB
invites towns and others who have concerns about the siting of such
projects to submit a letter outlining concerns and/or to request a
hearing before the board. The planning commission this week opted to
send a letter to the board outlining provisions in the town's existing
Town Plan and regulations that call for the preservation of open fields
and prime ag soils.
Given the hue and cry at this week's meeting
and the sheer emotional impact of a roomful of people up in arms over
the American Flatbread proposal (as well as the impact of other tracker
installations current and proposed in The Valley), it makes absolutely
no sense whatsoever that the town would not request a hearing before the
board.
What will have a greater impact on the PSB decision? A
letter or a roomful of people upset about the impact of such an
installation on the viewshed, the character of the community and the
impact on agricultural lands?
Why would the town not seize the
opportunity to make sure the PSB knows how strongly the community feels
about this issue?
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