Town of Niagara: Proposed solar array gains initial approval

By Benjamin Joe

A proposed solar array by the LaSalle Sportsman Club in the Town of Niagara is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Carson Power Renewable Energy, a solar energy company focused on developing projects in New York and Illinois, was represented by Erik Anderson in front of the town’s Planning Board on May 6, where planning board members had several questions in regard to the project before giving a recommendation for its installation.

Some of those questions involved glare, setbacks and fencing around the utility-grade solar array. Anderson said, for the glare, he has contacted the FAA in terms of affecting the air travel, as well as the airport, and both entities said there was no problem.

Anderson also reported the solar array will have adequate turnarounds for fire emergency vehicles.

Of the waivers that Carson Power is asking for, one would reduce a 200-foot setback to a 100-foot setback from any non-participating parcels to the west, which are vacant. The company is also asking that a second 200-foot setback be reduced to 25-feet abutting property owned by the Niagara Falls International Airport.

According to Anderson, the airport notified the company to not alter its draining system, but made no statement opposing the reduced space. Anderson said he’d send a reply to the airport on this to confirm.

A request for the 500-foot setback from Porter Road to be reduced to 100 feet was also discussed, as well as another request for the 500-foot setback from Tuscarora Road to be reduced to 50 feet.

The final two waivers Anderson addressed at the meeting are not part of the Planning Board’s scope, but are within the power of the Town of Niagara Town Board. These waivers would allow a solar array to be built on land zoned as residential, as well as adjacent to other parcels zoned for residential zoned, according to attorney Corey Auerbach, who was also at the meeting.

“For whatever reason, the LaSalle Sportsman’s Club is a residentially zoned property surrounded by business and industrial uses,” Anderson said. “I’m not sure why that is, but what we are requesting is the town to allow this use on the property given the surrounding uses.”

There was also some discussion on fencing that did not extend around the entire project.

“To address the fence questions, for National Grid standards, the poles cannot be restricted from access. That’s why there’s no fencing around them in the solar facility,” Anderson said.

Discussion continued where a solution was divvied out and the fence was placed where it could protect access to the solar facility.

“If they move the gate, the problem is National Grid wouldn’t have access to the pole, but if you put the poles on the west side of the driveway, for security matters, it should work,” Town of Niagara Building Inspector Charles Haseley said.

Other issues included trees to be planted and trees to be taken down. Haseley noted some of the trees being taken down would cause problems by the leftover stumps. Anderson said he’d bring the note to his company.

The Planning Board has given its recommendation for the solar array site plan, special use permit and requested setback waivers, upon confirmation by any entity such as the airport, but the final decision is up to the Town of Niagara Town Board on whether or not the solar array will be constructed.