Hartford Planning Commission OKs large solar project

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hartford Planning Commission has given developers the green light to proceed with a 500 kilowatt solar array planned for a parcel of land near the Sterling Springs housing development off of Braley Drive.

In a 5-1 vote, the Planning Commission granted the site “preferred site designation,” which is required for Norwich Solar, the developer, to begin an application with Vermont’s Public Utilities Commission.

Dillon Bianchi was the only member of the Planning Commission to oppose the motion.

A preferred site designation is required by the state for solar arrays that generate between 150 kW and 500 kW of power, and is generally granted to brownfield sites or land that has limited commercial value.

The Braley Drive property that the solar array would be built on is undeveloped. As such, the developer was required to demonstrate to Hartford’s planning commission, Selectboard and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission that the development of solar arrays on the site is aligned with the town plan and the town’s energy plan.

Next, Norwich Solar will have to make its pitch to the Selectboard. Dana Clawson, Hartford’s environmental sustainability coordinator, said this could occur at a meeting next month.