A solar farm on property containing a former Xerox landfill in Webster received another approval in a split Town Board vote on April 2.
The industrial use permit for the solar farm was approved by a 3-2 vote, with Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone, Deputy Town Supervisor Nick Hunter and Councilwoman Jennifer Wright in favor. The vote came after a lengthy public comment period where the solar project, Webster Solar Garden, was a topic of discussion, with some for and some against. The approval comes with several contingencies: approval of a host community agreement, decommissioning plan and an amended site plan approval by the town’s planning board.
The host community agreement and decommissioning plan will both have to come before the Town Board for approval.
The site plan for the solar project was previously amended to remove solar panels from the capped landfill on the property north of Caracas Drive. As a result, the 5-megawatt project will have about 20% less capacity. The project is being developed by Montante Solar, a Buffalo-based company.
The design calls for no ground penetration to secure the panels, which will be weighted and ballasted to limit soil disturbance.
Any trees removed will be cut flush with the ground to avoid disturbing ground on the site. Some additional trees will be planted along the north of the leading edge of the site. The newly planted trees will be a minimum of 10 feet tall when planted in the spring, likely eastern red cedar or Norway spruce. Controls will be put in place to control soil erosion on the site during and after installation of the panels, which will remain in place for as long as 35 years.
Councilman Garrett Wagner floated the idea of pushing the approval vote until the board’s second April meeting, but representatives for Montante Solar pushed back, arguing the company had already provided all of the relevant information.
Steve Howe reports on suburban growth, development and environment for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.

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