Monolith Solar has withdrawn its use variance application with the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for a new solar field on River Road, following variance recommendations from Albany County.
The solar company, which will soon be building its new headquarters in the Slingerlands Vista Technology Park, had proposed building a new solar field on land purchased at 746 River Road in Glenmont. However before the application could go to the town, the Albany County Board of Appeals said the applicant had not met use variance criteria required from the town. Monolith has since pulled its application.
“Monolith will continue solar development project activities to foster locally-based, high-tech job creation and to support New York State’s commitment to renewable energy deployment goals,” wrote Monolith’s attorney James Villanueva to the Town Board.
The project called for a 200 KW solar panel system to be placed in an area of about one acre of the parcel’s 19 acres. It would consist of 673 ground-mount solar panels in seven rows. The property is in a rural, riverfront zoning district. Although the property was labeled by the town as use for a “public utility” the company would have been private for those who purchased the panels.
The project was originally proposed on Sept. 2 by Monolith Solar’s acting manager, Tim Carr. He said the property was chosen because the price was decent, and the location could be inter-connected with National Grid.
Nearly a half-dozen people spoke in opposition of the project, with the board also receiving two letters. Residents were concerned about noise, tree removal and the effect on property values. Others wanted to know if the solar field would ever be expanded or impact the view from the nearby Mo-He-Con-Nuck trail.
The company now plans to look for another area to install its proposed solar garden.
Last month, the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals approved the area variance for Monolith Solar’s sign at Vista.
The variance was approved 3-1. Only board member George Harder voted against the proposal, believing it would set a precedent for other businesses to want their signs located on top of their building.
Work on Monolith Solar headquarters was previously set to begin by the end of summer, but was delayed until the sign variance was approved.
