Project Background
The idea for the Community Solar Project was first presented to the Rochester Town Board in the 2015. The project has been in active development for nearly two years.
Groups who have helped the Town Board develop the Community Solar Project include the Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission, Ulster County Planning Board, NYSERDA, and the Town of Rochester Zoning Review Committee.
Record of Public Discussions Regarding the Town of Rochester Community Solar Project
APR 2016
Town Board reviews Zoning Law as relates to solar energy
Board begins discussions about utilizing Town property for solar energy
MAY 2016
Town Board publicly discusses Zoning Law amendment (solar energy)
JUN 2016
Town Board publicly discusses Zoning Law amendment (solar energy) discussed
JUL 2016
Town Board public hearing is held for Zoning Law amendment (solar energy)
Town property solar use is discussed
AUG 2016
Town Board public hearing held for Zoning Law amendment (solar energy)
Town property solar use discussed
SEP 2016
Zoning Law amendment (solar energy)
Town property solar use discussed
OCT 2016
Attorney for the Town and Town Board develop and vote to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) (the RFP is a public document)
Town Board adopts Chapter 140 -Zoning Law update—new solar energy subsection
NOV 2016
Six proposals are received in response to the Community Solar Project RFP
Committee begins a review of the RFP proposals
DEC 2016
Town Board is given updated information / NYS Community Solar and proposals
JAN 2017
Town Board given updated information / NYS Community Solar and proposals
MAR 2017
Town Board given updated information / NYS Community Solar and proposals
APR 2017
Town Board votes to accept the RFP from Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
MAY 2017
Town supervisor gives update on solar projects
JUN 2017
Town Board completes SEQRA for the 6140 Route 209 project, determining a Negative Declaration (i.e. a Negative Declaration means the project will NOT have an adverse impact on the environment)
JUL 2017
Town Board completes SEQRA for the Off-Airport Road project, determining a Negative Declaration
(i.e. a Negative Declaration means the project will NOT have an adverse impact on the environment)
AUG 2017
Both Town solar projects begin Planning Board review
OCT 2017
Planning Board holds a public hearing for the 6140 Route 209 project
Town Board discovered they had made an error and the lease should have been signed subject to permissive referendum as stated in NYS Town Law Article 7
NOV 2017
Town Board rescinded the resolutions for the leases; voted new resolutions to sign the leases subject to permissive referendum
Notice posted by the Town Clerk
DEC 2017
Permissive referendum petitions were received with the required minimum number of signatures which then require the Town Board to hold a vote of qualified electors of the Town
The vote must be held not less than 60 days or more than 75 days after receipt of the petitions. Those dates are January 29, 2018 until February 12, 2018. Town Board established the propositions
JAN 2018
Town Board sets the election date and enters into a contract with Ulster County Board of Elections Town Board directs the Supervisor to create an information sheet for the voters
Environmental Studies
New York state and federal law, requires that an extensive set of environmental studies be undertaken in order to obtain the right to construct infrastructure, such as a solar facility. Borrego is legally compliant with these regulations and has performed the required ecological studies, including;
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Full Environmental Assessment Review
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reviews the environmental impact of the project from protected waters, wetlands and wildlife and offers recommendations. For recommendations that have been offered, Borrego Solar has proposed solutions and presented them to the Town of Rochester Planning Board.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES ASSESSMENT
This study identifies the endangered and threatened wildlife which could be present on the site. It evaluates if there are critical habitats of endangered or threatened species on the site where the solar plants will be built. No critical habitat or species were identified on the 6140 Route 209 or Off Airport Rd parcels.
NEW YORK PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT
This study is to identify if there are any sensitive archaeological ruins on the site. The agency found that the solar farm projects will not impact any archaeological sites.