{"id":2709,"date":"2022-02-08T16:44:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T21:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/?p=2709"},"modified":"2022-02-10T16:53:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T21:53:01","slug":"a-group-of-residents-asks-the-selectboard-to-rescind-preferred-site-status-granted-to-proposed-upper-loveland-road-solar-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/08\/a-group-of-residents-asks-the-selectboard-to-rescind-preferred-site-status-granted-to-proposed-upper-loveland-road-solar-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"645\" src=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screenshot-2021-12-26-at-13-04-03-C-100-576837604071768onbase-unity_294918410265330870127032-PDF.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screenshot-2021-12-26-at-13-04-03-C-100-576837604071768onbase-unity_294918410265330870127032-PDF.png 782w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screenshot-2021-12-26-at-13-04-03-C-100-576837604071768onbase-unity_294918410265330870127032-PDF-300x247.png 300w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screenshot-2021-12-26-at-13-04-03-C-100-576837604071768onbase-unity_294918410265330870127032-PDF-768x633.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption> Portion of site plan filed with PUC <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A group of six residents is asking the Selectboard to rescind the preferred site status the Town granted to a proposed Upper Loveland Road solar panel farm in August.  The neighbors say the project violates the Town Plan. In addition, they complain the Selectboard made no specific effort to notify property owners abutting the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The matter is not an agenda item. The letter dated February 3 (&#8220;Letter&#8221;) is in the <a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/02-09-2022-SB-packet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Selectboard packet for the February 9 meeting<\/a>, at page 13, as correspondence. It is up to the Selectboard to decide whether to elevate the expressed concerns to agenda item status at a future meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below I detail the concerns of the neighbors and add a few comments of my own.  A Valley News story is here. My comments relate to process and transparency. I have been <a href=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/16\/on-my-soapbox-new-town-plan-excludes-community-from-solar-siting-decisions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">critical of how the Town Plan treats preferred siting in general<\/a>, as a total abdication of local land use values. Climate change is real. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/greenmountainpower.com\/energy-mix\/\">according to GMP<\/a>, its energy supply is &#8220;100% carbon free and more than 68% renewable.&#8221;(H\/T to S.F.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Proposed Solar Farm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The project is to be located off of Upper Loveland Road, near the cell tower. It is a 500 kW (AC) group net-metering solar electric generation system. To accommodate the 8.2 acre footprint, that much forest will be clear cut. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, in comments filed with the PUC on January 3, observed that this clear cut will be the &#8220;twelfth highest acreage of forest clearing per kWh&#8221; since the agency &#8220;collected forest clearing data since 2016.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the project is located in the Ridgeline Protection Overlay Area of the Town of Norwich.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The developer of the solar farm is Norwich Technologies, Inc., a\/k\/a Norwich Solar, which is based in White River Junction. Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/bizfilings.vermont.gov\/online\/BusinessInquire\/BusinessInformation?businessID=390661\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according to the Vermont Secretary of State<\/a>, Norwich Solar is also the principal of Norwich Upper Loveland Solar LLC, the owner of the project, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LLC is seeking a certificate of public good to build the project. The CPG proceeding is pending before the PUC as case number <a href=\"https:\/\/epuc.vermont.gov\/?q=node\/64\/162423\/FV-Case%20Summary-Portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">21-3587-NMP<\/a>.  In connection with that matter, the LLC is opposing the requests of some residents to intervene in the PUC case. A zoning permit from Norwich is not required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Neighbors Letter (with some comments by me)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As noted, the Letter is in the <a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/02-09-2022-SB-packet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Selectboard packet for the February 9 meeting<\/a>, at page 13. The six residents assert the Selectboard and Planning Commission review of preferred site status fell short in several respects. &#8220;We ask that you rescind the Preferred Site Letter and restart the review of this application following the Town Plan as the governing document.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Views from public vantage points<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>The project is located in the Ridgeline Protection Overlay Area, requiring review of visual impact. The Letter says the Town only considered visual impact of the solar farm from public roads. However, this was an error as the 2020 Town Plan requires consideration of &#8220;visual impact from public lands and public vantage points &#8211; in addition to public roads.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I could not find an exact reference in the Town Plan to public lands. However that document is protective of views from &#8220;public vantage points,&#8221; which presumably would include public lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"75\" src=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/za-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_162815_norwich.vt_.us_.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2714\" srcset=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/za-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_162815_norwich.vt_.us_.png 690w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/za-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_162815_norwich.vt_.us_-300x33.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Norwich_Plan_2020-ADOPTED-lr-.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Town Plan 2020<\/a> at 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To be fair, the existing <a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Norwich-Zoning-Regulations_Amended_07-01-09.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoning Regulations<\/a>, issued in 2009, refers only to visual impact on public roads. These include &#8220;Class I, II, and III town highways, state highways and interstate highways within the town,&#8221; under NZR section 5.08. However, if the regulations are the guide, then the &#8220;character of the area affected&#8221; at NZR section 5.04 (D)(2) might be relevant too. I don&#8217;t know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TRORC Protocol <\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>The group of residents also claim the Town also ignored the TRORC protocol for preferred site review. The Letter says the protocol requires consideration of a number of natural features such as wetlands, habitat connectors and forest blocks. But, the neighbors assert that Director of Planning Roderick Francis, who currently serves as Interim Town Manager, improperly &#8220;shutdown all conversation of the review standards articulated by the TRORC Preferred Site Protocol.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To support this assertion, the letter quotes from Planning Commission minutes from <a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/PC-Minutes-2021-07_13-D.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">July 13, 2021<\/a> and Selectboard minutes from <a href=\"http:\/\/norwich.vt.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/draft-minutes-081121.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">August 11<\/a>. In both sets of minutes, Mr. Francis indicates that certain matters are outside of a municipal board&#8217;s scope of review on preferred site status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I do not understand the Planning Director&#8217;s position and hope he explains it at the Selectboard meeting. He has tremendous expertise. Nonetheless, my limited understanding is that whether a Town accords a solar project preferred site status is solely a local matter under <a href=\"https:\/\/puc.vermont.gov\/sites\/psbnew\/files\/doc_library\/5100-PUC-nm-effective-07-01-2017_0.pdf\">PUC Rule 5.100<\/a> at pages 9-10. The decision is completely within a municipality&#8217;s discretion, although it should not be arbitrary or discriminatory.   Maybe I am wrong, but I do not see why certain items are outside of the Town&#8217;s &#8220;jurisdiction,&#8221; as reported in the Selectboard minutes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/a-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_172638_puc.vermont.gov_-1-1024x363.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/a-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_172638_puc.vermont.gov_-1-1024x363.png 1024w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/a-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_172638_puc.vermont.gov_-1-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/a-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_172638_puc.vermont.gov_-1-768x273.png 768w, https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/a-Opera-Snapshot_2022-02-07_172638_puc.vermont.gov_-1.png 1065w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The provision defining municipal preferred sites. It is one of nine definitions of a preferred site under PUC Rule 5.100. Other definitions includes existing buildings, landfills and gravel pits. The intent is seemingly to encourage solar development at already developed sites, rather than green space..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notice to abutters<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, the neighbors express concern that no specific notice of the August Selectboard meeting was provided to abutters. &#8220;This is an extraordinary lack of transparency by the local government and clearly benefits developers.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I agree. We live in a small town. Folks want an opportunity to be heard by their elected officials. Sometimes, compliance with the Open Meeting Law is not enough, even if legally sufficient. This project may specifically impact a handful of abutting homeowners. Norwich Solar knows who they are, for reasons related to the PUC case. Would it be so terrible to require the solar project developer to notify abutters a week in advance of the Selectboard meeting? Without abutters present, the Selectboard discussion is missing an important stakeholder. Moreover, without the abutters, the discussion appears weighted in the developer&#8217;s favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some might may say that abutters receive notice of PUC proceedings and can participate there. My opinion is that view misses the point of community and local government. Preferred site status is a local decision. In addition, a PUC proceeding is a formal legal proceeding that may be daunting to the layman. That state agencies are charged with reviewing similar criteria is not a reason to short change the local process. Democracy not technocracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When he served on the Selectboard, John Langhus, general counsel to a national solar company, extolled the virtues of local preferred site determinations. As quoted in a <a href=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/16\/on-my-soapbox-new-town-plan-excludes-community-from-solar-siting-decisions\/\">prior blog post<\/a>, Mr. Langhus found the process valuable as a &#8220;tool that encourages coordination between municipalities, regional planning commissions, solar developers and landowners early on in the process.&#8221; Further, he believed that &#8220;early coordination has ultimately resulted in better projects, with greater community support.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefit of community support cannot accrue if abutters do not know the Selectboard is meeting on the topic. Moreover, transparency fosters trust in government. On preferred site status, the Selectboard can and should do a better job on notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fragmentation <\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the Letter says the solar farm is in the Resource Protection area of the Town Plan. Land within that area is discouraged from &#8220;further disturbance or fragmentation.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Letter does not provide further detail but it may bear on the disturbance of mapped forest blocks. Or as noted by the ANR above, the clear cutting of forest. However, I don&#8217;t know if the Town can (or should) prevent an owner from cleaning his land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-blue-color has-text-color has-small-font-size\"><strong><em>Never miss a new post on the Norwich Observer. Subscribe to my blog by submitting your email address in the subscribe box in the right column above. Thanks!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A group of six residents is asking the Selectboard to rescind the preferred site status the Town granted to a proposed Upper Loveland Road solar panel farm in August. The neighbors say the project violates the Town Plan. In addition, they complain the Selectboard made no specific effort to notify property owners abutting the site. The matter is not an agenda item. The letter dated February 3 (&#8220;Letter&#8221;) is in the Selectboard packet for the February 9 meeting, at page <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/08\/a-group-of-residents-asks-the-selectboard-to-rescind-preferred-site-status-granted-to-proposed-upper-loveland-road-solar-farm\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm<\/span><span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,39,49,72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-preferred-site","category-solar","category-transparency","category-upper-loveland-rd-project"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm - Norwich Observer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/08\/a-group-of-residents-asks-the-selectboard-to-rescind-preferred-site-status-granted-to-proposed-upper-loveland-road-solar-farm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm - Norwich Observer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A group of six residents is asking the Selectboard to rescind the preferred site status the Town granted to a proposed Upper Loveland Road solar panel farm in August. The neighbors say the project violates the Town Plan. In addition, they complain the Selectboard made no specific effort to notify property owners abutting the site. The matter is not an agenda item. 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