WASHINGTON TWP., Pa.- A proposal for a large solar farm in Washington Township, Northampton County goes under the microscope on Monday.
The township’s zoning hearing board has scheduled a public hearing on an appeal, request and challenge filed by the developer of the project on two sides of Franklin Hill Road.
According to an application filed with the township, the project involves five parcels: 223, 237, 239 and 245 Franklin Hill Road, which are a combined 25.35 acres; as well as a 55.27-acre parcel across the street.
All five parcels were purchased in 2007 by Sharp Development LLC, which lists Califon, New Jersey as the basis of its operations. The land is currently zoned for agriculture.
The project’s applicant is a pair of LLCs (FFP PA Washington Project 1 and FFP PA Washington West Project 1) associated with the San Francisco-based ForeFront Power company.
For the 25.35-acre plot, plans call for a 3-megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar energy system consisting of fixed-tilt solar panels, plus mounting equipment, cables and other infrastructure. The total construction area would be about 12 acres, the application says.
The development for the larger, 55.27-acre area would include one 3-MW and one 2-MW solar system, plus the accompanying equipment, in a 22-acre zone.
In March, the township’s zoning officer determined that a solar energy system as a principal use is not a permitted use or a special exception use in the agricultural zoning district, and that a solar energy system is permitted only as an accessory use in that district.
The developer is appealing that decision and also requesting that the zoning hearing board grant the applications for special exception. The developer is also challenging the validity of the zoning ordinance and questioning whether it is exclusionary when it comes to solar farm projects.
In April, the township updated its zoning ordinance to include provisions for solar farms that would be considered a principal use.
The public hearing hosted by the zoning hearing board begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 28. It’s being held at the Washington Township Firehall Complex at 920 Washington Blvd.
WFMZ-TV | Amy Unger