Planning Board – October 2021

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
October 13, 2021

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Clayton Andrus, Mary Howard, Jennifer Phillips, Ron Miller, Tom Jantzen, and Nathan Hempel. Others present were George Schmitt, Engineer for the Town and Matthew Griesemer, Attorney for the Town.

After review of the September 8, 2021 minutes, a motion was made by Clayton Andrus, seconded by Nathan Hempel, to accept the minutes. All in favor. So carried.

Motion was made by Jennifer Philips, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for ELP Roe Jan Solar LLC. All in favor. So carried.

Fox Hollow Subdivision, 360 Cedar Hill Road,191.-1-32.111, represented by Andy Didio of Taconic Engineering, presented an update of the application. After a meeting with the Highway Superintendent, Tyler Case, the site plan had a 50’ adjustment to the East of the roadway due to a lack of visibility to the West. The site plan with further details of development of the lots since the shift of the roadway created needed adjustments within the lots. Road signs for Fox Lane were discussed. 15mph signs would need to be in yellow as a suggested speed, per NY State law. Limited sight signs on Cedar Hill would also be needed. 911 numbers for the lots have been assigned by the County and the Applicant will begin coordinating with National Grid. The bond amount for the roadway construction, Home Owner Association details, DEC and DOH approval are still outstanding. The applicant will return to the November meeting.

Motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Nathan Hempel, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for the application of Zachery Aarons, 45 Hill N Dale Road, Tax Map ID #169.-1-6.210, represented by Suncommon. Zachary Aarons is seeking to install ground mounted solar panels. The panels will be 12’ high and 760 square feet on 27.5 acres. There were no questions from the audience. Motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to close the Public Hearing and open the regular meeting. All in favor. So carried. Matthew Griesemer read the SEQRA. Motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Ron Miller, to declare a negative impact. All in favor. SO carried. Discussion from the Board included the requirement of the applicant to for existing screening to be maintained as needed. Motion to approve the application as presented was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Jennifer Phillips. All in favor. So carried.

ELP Roe Jan Solar LLC, 109 Mill Road, 180.-2-5.111, came before the Board, presenting the proposed project for solar panels to be constructed at 109 Mill Road. Requirements from the Fire Department’s review are a lock box for the entrance, 25’ between the panels and fence in the event of an emergency, and onsite training prior to energizing the panels. Decommission costs were discussed with the proposed cost, after a 20% salvage value, which would leave an end of life cost to be $65,000 which will be determined by the Planning Board and entered in a bond with the Town of Clermont in a form and substance acceptable to the Town of Clermont Planning Board, the Town Engineer, and the Town Attorney. End of life of the lease is a 25 year program. The Board believes a bond of $72,000 would offer an additional buffer for removal of the panels. At all times the applicant agrees to maintain insurance as written proof of General Libility Insurance for bodily injury and/or property damage in the aggregate of at least one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars. SEQRA was read by Matthew Griesemer. Factors of SEQRA were: (1)The 1st gate or chain would be placed 30’ from the edge of the pavement, without a lock. The 2nd gate would be locked and (2)bond for the decommission plan will be $72,000. Motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Clayton Andrus, to declare a negative impact and adopt the mitigating factors for SEQRA. All in favor. So carried. Motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Mary Howard,to approve the application as presented with the contingencies of maintaining insurance, compliance of the decommission plan of $72,000, and approval by the Clermont ZBA. All in favor. So carried.

With no further business, a motion was made by Ron Miller, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:20PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary