CANTON – Another 5-megawatt solar project was the headliner at a meeting of the Canton Town Planning Board on Monday night.
Following a lengthy public hearing, board members tabled the matter due an incomplete State Environmental Quality Review Act.
The project and the SEQRA review will resume at a Dec. 19 meeting at 6 p.m. at the Canton Municipal Building.
"The Village objects to this project because it does not agree with the Village and Town's Comprehensive plan. The property is immediately adjacent to the Village and I stated we sent a letter to this effect. I also re-stated the following: The Canton Village Board believes that this is not the highest and best use of the land. We believe, as does the County Planning Board, that if the property cannot be used for agricultural purposes, then the highest and best use would be commercial, institutional, or residential development," stated Mayor Michael Dalton.
Developers SolAmerica Energy have plans to construct a solar center at the intersection of Rt. 310 and State Street Road on 71 acres of land owned by Jim Curtis.
The property is bounded by several businesses including the Partridge Run Golf Course, the United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care facility, Smile Associates and Canton Apples.
The project was rejected by the St. Lawrence County Planning Board in September.
In October, the Canton Village Board went on record opposing the solar project, citing conflicts with the village’s comprehensive plan.
The town planning board can override the county planning board with a majority plus one vote.
