Residents of the Springwood neighborhood might not be too excited about the tree cutting underway off Kimball Road, but the town announced Monday that it cannot stop it. "We are mindful of the concerns outlined by abutters regarding the ongoing tree cutting work at a...
solar
Frankland Road solar project underway as forest clearing begins
When Ann Karnofsky was walking her two collies on Frankland Road on Aug. 30, she was overcome by what she described as “a caravan of construction vehicles” heading to 71 Frankland Road, the site of a planned solar photovoltaic array and energy storage facility. “I was...
Developer introduces Springwood-area subdivision proposals but acknowledges plans actually are for solar
The Planning Board on Monday considered two preliminary subdivision proposals that brought concerns from both the board and the public as a “bait and switch” to preserve the zoning for a potential solar array development. Matt Cote represented the applicant,...
Voters approve solar farm restrictions but not overlay district
Town Meeting shed some light on how it wants to pursue its solar energy policy, voting 126-14 to approve restrictions on commercial solar photovoltaic installations. However, there was not enough support for a proposed commercial solar photovoltaic overlay district...
Wilson Street solar array gets Planning Board OK after addressing stormwater concerns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j3WaYMBCsw The Planning Board at Monday's meeting voted 6-1 in favor of three respective amendments to the solar special permit and stormwater management permit for the proposed 2.4-megawatt solar array off Wilson Street. David Paul...
Planning Board removes tree protection articles from Town Meeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSXK28IagoA The Planning Board voted 7-2 at Monday's meeting to remove both articles regarding tree protection from the 2021 Town Meeting warrant, deeming that they needed further input from developers and the real estate community...
Planning Board questions Wilson Street solar developer’s stormwater plan
The Planning Board at its Monday night meeting urged Grasshopper Energy to revise its stormwater mitigation plan as part of its plan to construct a 2.4 megawatt solar array off Wilson Street, advising that the area underneath the proposed solar panels should not use...
Planning Board narrowly votes to recommend solar map for Town Meeting approval
By Robert Ford Planning board members on Monday voted 5-4 to recommend Town Meeting approval of a proposed commercial ground-mounted solar overlay district map, while also supporting a zoning bylaw change that addresses solar developments. In the works for more than...
ZAC continues tree-cutting bylaw discussion, considers restricting site area alteration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LSKzrTnWfc&feature=youtu.be The Zoning Advisory Committee on Wednesday continued to make progress in its proposed alteration of the town’s tree-cutting bylaw, adjusting the wording in an attempt to tighten up the restrictions...
Planning Board votes to hold Town Meeting spots for multiple proposed tree-cutting bylaws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJKSmZrluDk&feature=youtu.be The Planning Board is keeping its options open when it comes to dealing with commercial ground-mounted solar, voting at Monday’s special meeting to put placeholders on the Town Meeting warrant for both a...
Planning Board reconsiders best approach to commercial solar zoning
During its meeting Monday night, the Planning Board voted to hold spots for two commercial zoning articles on the Town Meeting warrant, one dealing primarily with more aggressive screening rules and the other the previously submitted solar overlay district map. The...
ZAC finalizes proposed commercial solar bylaw, votes to send it to Planning Board
The Zoning Advisory Committee put the final touches on its proposed commercial ground-mounted solar bylaw at its meeting Tuesday night, working with town counsel to tweak the wording...
Town counsel cautions ZAC on commercial solar restrictions; discussion to continue
The Zoning Advisory Committee’s discussion on how to better control commercial ground-mounted solar developments took a turn Monday night, following input from town counsel. During its...
ZAC continues solar zoning discussion, narrows focus as time becomes factor
The Zoning Advisory Committee continued its discussion of solar zoning at its meeting Monday night, working on language that could be added to the town’s bylaw to restrict commercial...
ZAC solar zoning debate continues, with opinions split between overlay map or bylaw changes
During its meeting Monday night, the Zoning Advisory Committee continued its discussion about solar developments, trying to determine whether the best approach to limit commercial ground-mounted arrays is...
ZAC continues efforts to limit commercial solar in residential areas
At its meeting Monday night, the Zoning Advisory Committee continued its discussion on solar zoning and how it could formulate wording to limit developments in residential areas. The discussion centered around language and specific requirements the committee might...
ZAC debates strategy for commercial solar restrictions in town
The Zoning Advisory Committee’s meeting Monday night focused on the town’s solar bylaw and what strategies the ZAC could use to develop a more comprehensive plan to limit commercial ground-mounted solar arrays. Town counsel previously warned that any substantial...
Solar zoning issues dominate ZAC public forum
During Monday night’s Zoning Advisory Committee meeting there was a public forum for zoning proposals and ideas. Not surprisingly, the conversation was focused on commercial solar zoning and how the town can better control the situation. “This was not intended to be a...
Letter to the Editor: Save forests from solar
Two articles on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant fit together perfectly to preserve about 100 acres of mature forest (formerly the Liberty Mutual forest), with long picturesque trails, a lake, varied wildlife and birds, trees and native plants, including ferns. The...
Charlesview residents upset about solar owner’s plan to clear more trees
A Lumber Street couple who previously expressed a desire to expand their ground-mounted solar array revealed plans to start cutting down trees on 6.5 acres of adjoining property that they own. Ben and Amy Chirco, who reside at 147 Lumber St., sent letters in early...