Map of proposed and present photo voltaic amenities within the metropolis of Canton as of August 31, 2022. (Credit score: Metropolis of Canton)
December 09, 2022 —
The Canton city planning board held one other public listening to on the photo voltaic vitality proposal final Monday evening. The 5-megawatt mission is on the border of the city and village of Canton.
The photo voltaic mission in query would cowl 44 acres of a 71-acre property on the nook of Route 310 and State Road.
Representatives from builders SolAmerica, a Georgia firm, gave a brief presentation. The proprietor of the property, Jim Curtis, additionally spoke. He mentioned the land has poor agricultural worth as a result of it is vitally moist and might solely develop a sort of grass that isn’t very worthwhile.
The St. The Lawrence County planning board rejected the mission earlier this 12 months. Nonetheless, the city’s planning board can override that with a majority vote.
The Canton village board does not just like the mission both. Mayor Michael Dalton mentioned it goes in opposition to the targets of their complete plan. He spoke at Monday’s listening to.
“We simply do not consider that is the best and greatest use for the land. And if it isn’t for agriculture then the best and greatest use is business, institutional, or residential improvement,” he mentioned. .
The mission’s neighbors embody an assisted residing facility, a leisure path, and a number of other personal residences.
Others current have been involved that the mission would get rid of farmland. Some objected to the looks of photo voltaic panels.
“There appears to be plenty of NIMBY, the Not In My Again Yard factor and albeit I feel it is ridiculous,” mentioned Unitarian minister James Galasinsky, who’s in favor of the plan.
He mentioned he thinks about local weather change.
“I’ve two babies that I’m very nervous in regards to the local weather. Possibly I’ve nervousness in regards to the local weather. I’m nervous in regards to the setting usually and from what I heard tonight I assist that mission,” mentioned Galasinsky.
The corporate is required to plant pollinator vegetation between the photo voltaic arrays and bushes across the border.
Their utility to the city has not been accomplished. They mentioned they want info from the state Division of Environmental Conservation in regards to the two fowl species. The planning board has set a gathering for December 19 to evaluation the mission once more.
The board permitted one other 5-megawatt mission final week. There are a number of photo voltaic tasks proposed for Canton. The most important will cowl greater than 1500 hectares and produce 240 megawatts of electrical energy.
