Fairfield Road Tract Approved for Solar Field

A 100 acre tract on Fairfield Road was given approval on Monday by the zoning board to have solar panels erected on the site. 

In a special meeting hearing that took just under three hours, the applicant, Rock Solid Realty proposed a plan that included not only how the panels would be laid out, but also what they would look like and how much energy they would provide. 

Members of the zoning board had several questions on the project including safety measures that would be utilized and potential issues with buffers to surrounding properties and within its borders. The property includes wetlands and is near a set of railroad tracks, all of which provides issues in its layout. 

There were also questions about the environmental issues of the large project, including any risks to deer that might find their way onto the property or in the event someone gained unauthorized entrance to the site. 

In addition to the environmental issues, economic questions were also raised by members of the board including how the proposed plan would impact the township's tax records. Additional questions were also raised about what would happen if the company that owned and operated the panels went out of business.

As each of the board's questions were answered, as well as questions from members of the public the plan was given unanimous approval before the meeting was adjourned.

Check Howell Patch tomorrow for more from this meeting and the application.