Kirkland Town Planning Board Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Solar Farm

KIRKLAND, N.Y. -- The Kirkland Town Planning Board held a public hearing Monday evening to hear input from residents about a proposed industrial solar facility.

It was a packed house at the Kirkland Town Hall as residents and board members first heard from Atlas Renewables regarding the facility, which, if approved, will be located along Route 12B between Middle Settlement and Homewood Road.

When it was time for the public to speak, the board got an earful.

Many residents speaking out against the project saying it is not be beneficial to the Town and would lead to the deforestation of more than 50 acres of forest along mud creek.

"The benefits of these proposed solar farms are at least partially offset by the effects of using clear cut land, the damage to the watershed, the effects on the surrounding land, and the irreparable harm to the plants and animals that now use that land,” stated one local resident.

Another was concerned about the effect building the solar facility would have on neighboring communities.

"This will increase storm water runoff, erosion and sediment. Contributing to flooding downstream, as well as adversely impacting mitigation efforts to decrease flooding in downstream towns, as well as impact Route 12B".

One resident was just concerned about the way it would look.

"I don't mind solar. What I do despise is driving by and seeing great farmland with a ton of solar panels. I despise the fact that we are going to be cutting down all sorts of forests."

Officials with Atlas Renewables did dispel one common myth about the project though.

"One common idea that I would like to qualify, if we install a solar farm in the Town of Kirkland, New York City will benefit. No, no, no. The electricity generated in Kirkland because of the physics, and the minimum distance, will go close to where it's generated."

No decision was made by the planning board regarding the proposed solar farm.