BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MADRID — County Planning Board officials voted unanimously to deny a solar project in the town of Madrid during a recent planning board meeting.

Officials heard a presentation regarding the proposed project from Acer Solar, who are acting on behalf of Cyprus Creek Renewables, who own the property.

The 4.4 megawatt solar array proposed at 50 Cogswell Corners Rd. required a site plan review and special use permit due to the zoning of the property, officials say. The 102 acre parcel is listed as being in the agricultural district, according to county documents.

In total, the array was expected to encompass roughly 30 acres of the 102 acre parcel, but soon drew the ire of the board after they were informed it was on prime and prime if drained agricultural land.

“The Board's main concern with the project is that it is proposed on Prime and Prime if Drained agricultural land,” said Jason Pfotenhauer, Director of the St. Lawrence County Planning Office.

Many critics of such projects cite the use of prime agricultural land for such projects as a primary concern, as local farmers need maximum acreage for an adequate crop yield.

The project would come at a cost of $10 million with an operational life of 25 years, according to the project proposal.

The County Planning Board recommended the project only be approved with a handful of conditions.

“The applicant submit a decommissioning plan that removes the salvage value from the cost estimate. The applicant submit a sign plan if needed. This approval shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date thereof for the purpose of obtaining a building permit. Failure to secure a building permit during this one-year period shall cause this approval to become null and void,” documents show.

The board also suggested Acer Solar contact a small livestock grazing operation for maintenance and continued agriculture use.

Officials also had concerns about there not being a utility interconnection report, land owner lease agreement, cybersecurity plan and PILOT documentation with the application.

Officials suggested the Madrid Town Board should consider adding “some or all of the non-binding recommendations to their solar law. Example solar laws from neighboring municipalities that include these recommendations will be shared with the Town.”

With the denial of the project, Madrid officials will have the option to proceed with the project but are required to do so with a super-majority vote of 4 out of 5 board members. It is unknown if the measure is likely to pass at this time.