A map showing the flight paths from the Watertown Municipal Airport and the location of the proposed Concord-Highland Solar project circled in red.
A map showing the flight paths from the Watertown Municipal Airport and the location of the proposed Concord-Highland Solar project circled in red.
WATERTOWN — The City of Watertown is considering litigation regarding the proposed solar project near the STH 26 Bypass and the Watertown Municipal Airport. The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Committee granted a conditional use permit for the project at N8505 Highland Road last week.
The City of Watertown Common Council meeting, set for Tuesday night, will feature a closed session regarding the proposed project: “Convene into closed session per §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved (OneEnergy Solar Project CUP Approval).”
The Concord-Highland Solar Energy Systems project is an approximately 25-acre, 5MW solar array proposed by the Seattle-based solar company OneEnergy Renewables LLC.
The city has expresses concerns and frustrations with solar projects regards its own plan for the land and safety.
“A solar farm is not compatible with the planned mixed-use designation,” Watertown Mayor Robert Stocks wrote to county officials. “It is not contemplated or permitted under the City’s adopted comprehensive plan and would significantly constrain future economic development that the plan identifies as vital for the greater community.
“A solar farm located near an aircraft landing zone can (also) create significant safety concerns for pilots, passengers, and people on the ground. Solar panels can produce glare or reflected light that may temporarily impair a pilot’s vision during critical phases of takeoff and landing.”
During the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, Director of Planning and Development Matt Zangl said that a glare analysis had “shown no glare or potential hazards of that nature.” He said that the Federal Aviation Administration had determined a “null hazard” relating to the proposed project’s proximity to the airport.
Stocks also expressed frustrations concerning the Jefferson County Solar Energy Systems Ordinance and approval from the closest municipality to the process. The Town of Watertown approved the project however.
“You cannot just rely on the fact that the City of Watertown said no,” said Jefferson County Corporation Counsel Danielle Thompson. “If you choose to deny today, (you) have to articulate, based on the record that’s been provided, some reason in which you believe denial is necessary to preserve or protect public health or safety.”
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