Though they were sympathetic to neighbors’ concerns that it’s just the first step toward 30 acres of commercial solar, Cobleskill’s Planning Board has approved what’s been identified as the Warner Slate subdivision off Route 145, Lawyersville.
The Planning Board only looks at the law and whether an application meets the criteria, Chairman Andre Nadeau told the crowd of 33 neighbors and farmers; changes to the law would need to come through the Town Board.
“I have nothing on my desk regarding solar,” Code Enforcement Officer Mike Piccolo said, and “there is a lot, lot, lot more [steps]” any solar proposal would need to go through to be even considered,” Mr. Nadeau said.
“I can’t tell you how much time we’ve wasted” on possible projects, Mr. Nadeau continued.
“When it came down to it, in the end, they couldn’t even work out a PILOT. Someone could buy this land and build a house.”
“But we know what the intended use is and that’s why we’re here,” said Jeanne Gostling, who owns and runs Lavender Manor Farms just down the road.
“They have filed their intent.”
At issue is a 60-month memo of option SWEB Development USA LLC—an international wind, solar, and hydro company—has on land owned by Ernest Schemitsch of Brooklyn.
Lori and Josh Davis rent their 96-acre Empty Pockets Farm from Mr. Schemitsch and said solar panels would kill it.
Their intent was always to buy the farm, Mr. Davis told the Planning Board, and it wasn’t until last December when Mr. Schemitsch approached them about buying it, that they learned about the SWEB option.
“This is ethics,” he said. “If we knew this going in, we never would have moved in.”
“We’re afraid to find out we should have done something,” said neighbor Bob Strong, who’s lived next to the former Byron Johnson farm for 30 years.
“It makes me proud to see someone work so hard just to bring it back. We’re not opposed to solar—in the right place.”
Under Cobleskill’s land use laws, commercial solar could be allowed at the Warner Slate site with a special use permit after review.
The Planning Board could take neighbors’ concerns into deciding whether to grant the special use permit, and would also look at the town’s Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, Mr. Nadeau said. (See related story.)
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Schemitsch, Country Boy Realty’s Matt Loder said “he’s only looking to liquidate some of his assets” and selling off the land with the “solar encumbrance” would make it easier when it came to a mortgage for the rest of the farm.
“Our hands are tied,” Planning Board member Terry Keller said before they voted to allow the subdivision.
Mr. Nadeau urged them to take their concerns directly to the Town Board, which meets Monday, December 13, 7pm at the Cobleskill Firehouse.