“Claverack Creek Solar LLC Site Plan Review/Special Exception: Tax Map #(SBL) 100 . – 1 – 1
Located at 151 Humane Society Rd. Site Plan Review/Special Exception for the construction of a 36-
acre large scale solar energy system to be placed on a 75-acre parcel.
Catskill View Solar LLC Site Plan Review/Special Exception: Tax Map #SBL) 101 . – 1 – 1 Located
at 132 Humane Society Rd. Site Plan Review/Special Exception for the construction of a 37-acre
large scale solar energy system to be placed on a 108.3-acre parcel.
Combined review for Claverack Creek Solar and Catskill View Solar. Mr. Ward reviewed the
project for the Board. Mr. Ward informed the Board that the projects are in the Rural Conservation
Zone with a tiny area within the Highway Commercial Zone. Mr. Ward informed the Board that this
project will follow biodiversity with planting of indigenous wild flowers and allowing sheep to graze
instead of mowing. Mr. Ward stated that there will be energy stored in batteries. Mr. Ward
continued that both sites will require Area Variances for setbacks as follows 85 feet variance is
needed for Catskill View Solar and 80 ft variance is needed for Claverack Creek Solar. Mr. Ward
continued that both sites require a 100-foot setback but it is not able to keep these on both sites
because the 100-foot setbacks on each site will spread the fields out and create a greater impact on
the local agricultural land. Mr. Ward continued that keeping the fields closer together keeps the site
more compact. Tim Wyman asked if the field is 5 watts. Mr. Ward answered yes. Mr. Ward stated
that NYS Ag & Markets does not like to have widely spread out fields but rather likes to have
messenger cable and bore to keep the field as compact as possible. Mr. Ward stated that the modules
are set 19 feet apart from each other and will have wild flowers planted and a baseline ecological
study over the 40-year lease studies birds, plants and the overall soil of the area. Mr. Ward stated
that this is all done to make sure that the area is meeting the goals of the ecology of the site. Mr.
Ward stated that overtime it has been determined that this will create better soil at the site also. Mr.
Black informed the Board that years of planting corn and hay over and over depletes the soil. Mr.
Black continues that their plan for planting will regenerate the soil on the site, bring more worms,
birds and bees to the area. Mr. Black continued that they will install bird houses and bat houses, will
have local bee keepers use the site and create a 5-acre community farm for neighbors to keep the site
environmentally friendly. Tim Wyman asked how the site is attached to National Grid. Mr. Black
informed the Board that this project was all created with the input from National Grid. Mr. Black
stated that they met with National Grid several times and then a determination was made on what
infrastructure would need to be upgraded and installed at the Solar company’s expense. Mr. Black
stated that they installed 7 utility poles with the required protections. Mr. Black continued that it
was determined that the best way to go was to send the energy produced from the solar fields was
down Pulcher Ave. then south on NYS Rte. 9 to the National Grid site. Mr. Black stated that this was
very expensive to do and the solar company has paid a percentage of the wiring but this is a slow
process. Tim Wyman asked if the energy is carried via overhead lines. Mr. Black answered yes.
Stephen King asked if there were any wires crossing the stream. Mr. Black answered yes, a single
feed line to supply service to the barn. Mr. Black informed the Board that a battery storage trailer
will be installed next to the invertors to save electricity to send to the grid later in the day when the
demand for energy is at the highest. Mr. Black stated that during construction the site will have a
port-a-potty which is required. Mr. Black continued that the panels are on single access trackers that
move very slowly every second to follow the sun. Mr. Black continued that the trailers will hold
lithium ion batteries, HVAC systems and gas detection systems. Chairman Cole asked if there is only
one trailer per site. Mr. Black stated that there is a trailer at every invertor with at least one 50-foot
trailer. Chairman Cole stated that this would make 6 trailers per site. Chairman Cole continued that
he is concerned with the trailers of batteries and asked how they will be monitored for fire and
emergency. Mr. Black stated that he figures only two trailers per site
Norman Ward and Gillean Black were present for the application. Mr. Ward introduced himself as
the landscape architect for Eden Renewables and these projects. Tim Wyman asked what type of
fire suppression is used. Mr. Black stated that there are gas detectors which will send notification for
a remote shut down so the prevention is to shut down the site and if a fire then suppression foam
floods the area. Tim Wyman stated that if this is the case then no need for local fire companies to be
involved. Mr. Black stated that the local fire departments will be called to the area and will look in
but won’t be able to see anything. Mr. Black stated that the modules are not combustible and unless
someone is at the site and needs help would be the only reason for fire emergency personnel to enter
the site. Stephen King asked what happens if lightning strikes the site. Mr. Black stated that there
are lightening suppression systems at each invertor. Alberta Cox asked about the modules and high
winds. Mr. Black answered that the modules are tested for snow load and wind speeds. Mr. Black
continued that the panels can be controlled and have been tested for wind speeds of 110 mph. Mr.
Black stated that the modules are on poles that are driven into the ground on I-beams. Mr. Ward
informed the Board that after the visual analysis it was determined that one site to the northwest #9
on the plan might have a small view but the home is owned by the applicant’s brother so it shouldn’t
be an issue. Mr. Black informed the Board that he will personally speak with the Humane Society
regarding screening. Mr. Black stated that the company has also given money to home owners to
plant as they see fit after they gets a quote for plantings. Chairman Cole stated that he just received
the maps for the fire chiefs and only one was delivered when two are needed. Mr. Black will get a set
of plans to Chairman Cole for the other fire chief to review but they usually meet with the fire chiefs
to go over the plans. Chairman Cole stated that a meeting is a great idea but to still submit the plans
with a business card for reference. Rob Fitzsimmons informed the Board that the Area Variances
are on the agenda for the Town of Claverack Zoning Board of Appeals for the end of August then
the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals will set up a coordinated review to hold one
public hearing for the entire plan. Rob Fitzsimmons informed the applicant’s representatives that a
PILOT agreement is needed along with the Host Community Agreement which needs to be reviewed
by the Town Board. Rob Fitzsimmons continued that the Town Board meets on Thursday, August
13th at which time these can be discussed and invited Mr. Black to attend. Rob Fitzsimmons
continued that a 15-year tax exempt plan which includes the Town of Claverack, Hudson City School
District and Columbia County to offset the needs to be included in the PILOT to plan for everything.
Mr. Black informed the Board that he is in the process of a joint review with ACOE & NYS DEC
because of the amount of wetlands that are around the site and they are doing a coordinated review
also. Stephen King asked if the plan has been added to the Town of Claverack website for the public.
Mr. Black stated that he can submit something to the website after he cleans it up a little bit. Rob
Fitzsimmons informed Mr. Black to submit the plan documents to the website and add to them as
necessary to keep it updated. Stephen King stated to Mr. Black that it is better to be as descriptive as
possible to help the public understand the project. Mr. Black stated that he will use the materials
that he used for the public meeting that was held over the winter at the firehouse and will figure it
out. Rob Fitzsimmons stated that the public hearing for the Site Plan/Special Exception will be held
at the same time as the Area Variance and the Subdivision to keep from segmentation of the project.
Rob Fitzsimmons suggested that a virtual presentation might be a good idea for the public.
Punch list:
Coordinated review with TOC ZBA for public hearing
Town Board with PILOT
Information added to the TOC website
Meet with fire chiefs
Continued to September 14, 2020”
read the entire article
August 2020 Planning Board Minutes PDF
TOWN OF CLAVERACK PLANNING BOARD. 3 August 2020