“On Thursday night, the Duanesburg Town Board enacted a moratorium on major solar installations, excluding recently approved projects, while some residents complained they had requested a moratorium before large arrays were okayed.
Lynne Bruning and her mother, Susan Biggs, have brought an Article 78 proceeding, seeking to annul the Duanesburg Planning Board’s September site-plan approval of and special-use permit for two solar projects. Eden Renewables plans to install Oak Hill Solar 1 and Oak Hill Solar 2 on about 65 acres next to their Duanesburg Road home.
Bruning and her mother have a connection to their land that dates back generations.
Also on Thursday, the town board unanimously approved PILOTs, or payments in lieu of taxes, for the two Oak Hill projects Giovvanni Maruca, chief development officer of Eden Renewables, said this week that his company tries to engage with residents in any town where Eden launches a project. The company holds an open house, sends out mailings — in the case of Oak Hill, almost 3,000 mailings — puts up posters, and does some Facebook advertising.
An Article 78 proceeding is typically brought by a citizen, challenging in court a government’s decision or action. In their petition, which is also against solar company Eden Renewables and landowner Richard B. Murray, Biggs and Bruning argue that the planning board failed to follow the regulations of the town’s own zoning ordinance and solar-energy facilities law.”
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Altamont Enterprise 16 January 2020.