Jacob Road solar farm. (See Planning Board, March 23, 2026) At the adjourned public hearing, the applicant addressed the issues raised by residents at the previous hearing, advising the Board that there was no basis for their concerns about the visual impact and use of pesticides. The issue of access for fire equipment was addressed in a memo from the fire commissioners: they are okay with the limited access to the site given its steep slope and the two proposed minor adjustments to the plan that would construct a walk in path to allow first responders deeper access into the site, and access for smaller equipment/vehicles at the beginning of a future nature trail that would be parallel to the panels. Neither the Board or the applicant had time to review a just delivered memo from the town engineer on the project’s stormwater plan.
Randy Pratt, whose house abuts the project, advised the Board that there were inconsistences in the applicant’s latest submission and said that because the new solar law changed the setback requirements, a new survey should be done. He also said that the solar panels would be visible from Wilkens Farm.
Mr. Pratt also advised the Board that because there are no public notice requirements for adjourned public hearings, he knew of at least four residents who would have attended the meeting had they known in advance that it would have been that night,
Although the applicant requested that the hearing be closed and that staff begin work on an approval resolution, Board chairman Fon said that more time was needed to review the town engineer’s memo, other outstanding issues, and to make sure everything was correct with the application. The result was that the hearing was adjourned again, possibly to May 18 if the applicant was able to submit any required plan changes in time.
York Farms (See Planning Board, March 23, 2026) In brief comments, the applicant said he had met with the town’s Community Housing Board and had resolved most of the issues regarding how the requirements for 10 affordable units would be complied with. The only remaining outstanding issue is the waiting list for the units. The Board plans to do a site visit.
For a video of the meeting clickyorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2103