A Solar Farm and Cell Town in a Residential Area? Seriously?
For those of you residing in Mount Kisco and Bedford who may not be aware, there is a proposal before the Mount Kisco Planning Board to permit the installation of a 267-solar panel farm on property near the corner of South Bedford Road and Sarles Street.
This site is on the Mount Kisco-Bedford border, and is adjacent to Marsh Sanctuary, the Mount Kisco Chase development and other private homes. Why THIS particular piece of property? That’s a good question.
Were you aware that this specific Conservation District property was amended back in November 2018 to allow for Tier 3 ground-mounted solar panels with a special use permit? No? Well, neither were the owners of property and homes adjacent to this site until this July, 20 months after the fact. Apparently, the village does not require individual notice to owners of contiguous property prior to making a zoning change. Because we were unaware, we never had a chance to voice our opinions.
Why would the Village Board and/or Planning Board entertain a proposal for a solar power plant in a densely-wooded area that clearly adds to the beauty of our Big Little Village that is home to numerous wildlife (some of which are endangered or threatened) and a variety of deciduous and specimen trees? It’s mind-boggling.
This proposal, if approved, lays out a plan to cut down about 700 trees. If this is in support of clean energy and “going green,” doesn’t that sound hypocritical to you? Equally alarming is finding out that the owner of this property (a Florida-based LLC) intends to lease the space to the applicant for the solar farm and is also intending to lease another section of the property for the installation of a 145-foot cell tower! This nearly 14-story structure would dominate the Mount Kisco skyline.
There’s a reason why many solar panels and cell towers are located near highways, commercial or municipal lots and near water towers. They are an eyesore, they’re noisy and potentially carcinogenic. Installing a solar farm and a cell tower would essentially turn this residential and conservation property into an industrial site. Clearly, our neighbor, the Town of Bedford, is equally impacted by this.
Another concern is the connection between this property and this project with two current Planning Board members. And the decision is apparently in their hands. SMH.
Be informed. Speak up. Preserve the beauty and protect the environment of Mount Kisco and Bedford. The solar farm public hearing is scheduled to continue before the Mount Kisco Planning Board on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. It can be viewed on Cablevision channel 20, Fios channel 40 or on the Village of Mount Kisco Facebook page. Public comments will be heard via call-in at 914-420-0383.
Maryann Tarnok
Mount Kisco
