17170 Harbeson Rd
Milton, DE 19968
United States
Representatives of a therapeutic riding center raised concerns about a solar power project proposed on an adjacent property during the May 20 meeting of the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission.
Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding is located on Harbeson Road in Milton next to a parcel where Milton DE Solar CSS LLC wants to install solar arrays on 11.5 acres of a 30.5-acre site. The company has a 35-year lease for the site.
A public hearing was held on the requested conditional use.
Jo Allegro-Smith, executive director of SDTR, urged commissioners and the developer to ensure the project does not disturb the horses or the people who rely on center programs.
Activities that are a concern include construction vehicles and equipment, and lawn mowing.
Allegro-Smith suggested a solid fence along the joint property line, extending the buffer from the planned 50 feet to 200 feet, part of which would be covered by pines at least 7 feet tall. 
Linda Berdine, president of the SDTR board, said she supports solar energy but worries about the effect of the project on the 10-acre adjacent therapeutic riding facility.
“It’s a request from us for responsible changes and enforceable protections,” Berdine said. “The issue is compatibility of adjacent land use, especially where use involves medically vulnerable individuals, and we have horses with unpredictable reactions.” 
She worries about the safety of people who use the center’s programs and the horses.
“We are a unique neighbor,” Berdine said. “We are not a horse farm … We are a therapeutic riding center. We serve children, we serve veterans and we serve individuals with disabilities.” 
Horses are prey animals and react instantly to sudden movement, noise and visual disturbances, she said. Even minor disruptions can lead to falls from horses, injuries to disabled riders and risks to volunteers and staff.
“You do have many participants with sensory sensitivities,” said Program Director Kelly Boyer. “They can hear tones that we don’t hear.” 
SDTR has operated in Sussex County since 1988. In 2025, it served 690 participants supported by 150 volunteers.
Berdine said she also worries about drainage and mud from the solar arrays.
She suggested reorienting some of the panels to increase the space between them and the center.
Coordinating construction with center activities would be critical, Boyer said.
“We would have to have an incredible communications channel between the two organizations,” she said.
Allegro-Smith said she’s concerned the center was not contacted by the developer as the project progressed.
“For most organizations, a lack of communication is inconvenient,” she said. “But as you heard, for us, it can bring us to a halt.”
The developer plans to check the site to see if further accommodations can be made.
A decision by the commission was delayed until a future meeting. It kept the record open for 10 calendar days in case changes are made after discussions between the developer and neighbors.

17170 Harbeson Rd
Milton, DE 19968
United States
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