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Page 1 of 2 <br /> Re: December 4 Agenda and Materials <br /> Charles Rowley <br /> Mon 12/2/2019 4:42 PM <br /> To: ELehrer@mashpeema.gov <ELehrer@ mash peema.gov>; PMaguffin@mashpeema.gov <br /> <PMaguffin@mashpeema.gov>;dhbalz@yahoo.com <dhbalz@yahoo.com>;jphelan.planningboard@comcast.net <br /> <jphelan.planningboard@comcast.net>;JClifford2@mashpeema.gov <JClifford2@mashpeema.gov>; <br /> josephcallahanplanningboard@gmail.com <josephcallahanplanningboard@gmail.com>;cummingsj3@msn.com <br /> <cummingsj3@msn.com>; mwaygan@yarmouth.ma.us <mwaygan@yarmouth.ma.us>;waygan@hotmail.com <br /> <waygan@hotmail.com>; robhansen00@msn.com <robhansen00@msn.com> <br /> Cc: capecodjcliff@aol.com <capecodjcliff@aol.com> <br /> A few thoughts concerning large solar arrays that I am familiar with having sat through a number of <br /> project hearings. <br /> 1. A 50 foot buffer is very minimal. Once the land is cleared up to that limit it will appear as if no <br /> buffer exists at all. Be aware of the use of vegetative buffers that are planted close together as in time <br /> they tend to naturally thin out. Staggering the buffer helps in addition to earthen berms in some <br /> applications. Also the trend is to use species that are not native to the area, making them susceptible <br /> to limited survival. Conifers will stay green all year for the most part. <br /> 2. Solar companies try to take advantage of getting as much sun as possible on the system. They <br /> like to clear sufficient vegetation away from the array so that there are no shadows cast during the <br /> hours of daylight operation. Consider restricting the height of trees to be cleared for this purpose. <br /> 3. Systems that are built on a hillside will be very visible even though there may be a 50 foot buffer <br /> from a street line. Similarly, systems built on flat ground but which have higher ground adjacent to <br /> them will also be very visible. <br /> 4. Public Utility companies such as Eversource may be exempt from site plan review and any <br /> significant restrictions. <br /> 5. Although not particularly controllable, large ground mounted systems that require the clearing of <br /> trees eliminate the tract from removing carbon dioxide from the air. <br /> 6. Some projects may require an approval not required plan to be endorsed but with less than the <br /> minimum street frontage for a building lot. Plans usually have a statement that the plot is not to be <br /> considered for building purposes other than for solar energy. The building department may have some <br /> input on whether a building permit would be issued. The access to the project seldom requires more <br /> than 40' to 50' of width for a service road. <br /> 7. The Decommissioning plan of the site and security should be filed and approved prior to the <br /> completion of construction. The half-way mark has been used in some cases. Decommissioning plans <br /> should run with the land, be automatically renewable with respect to security and should be reviewed <br /> every 5 years or less to make sure the security remains sufficient. <br /> 8. Inspections of the work can be as detailed as you may want. Some companies are very good at <br /> initial site preparation, loaming and seeding of slopes for stability and cleanup even before the <br /> construction of the arrays begin. Others not so good and require constant monitoring. Consider <br /> requiring a separate inspection fee to be set up through a 53G account. That way your annual <br /> consulting budget is not eaten up too quickly. <br /> 9. Some systems may require a separate connection to an overhead transmission line that would <br /> require extra clearing that can easily be seen from the public way. Consider underground wiring as an <br /> alternative in those cases. <br /> 10. Large ground mounted arrays can involve the installation of several thousand panels as part of <br /> the construction. As a result a significant amount of open space is required. <br /> 11. Some projects may require conservation commission approval if any of the land clearing or other <br /> site work is within 100 feet of a designated wetland. The application process would include either a <br /> Resource Determination Application (RDA) or a Notice of Intent(NOI). <br /> Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Am now trying to accept the fact that I ate too much! <br /> Charlie <br /> https:Houtlook.live.com/mail/0/inbox/id/AQMkADAwATY3ZmYAZS05MDViLWM 1 YT... 12/4/2019 <br />