I am a resident of the Town of Eden and I have signed this petition to inform the Town of my opposition to the siting of a utility-scale solar energy project (hereinafter referred to as (USSEPs) at the proposed 9549 Knoll Rd. location.

I believe that the placement of a USSEP at this location is contrary to the interest of the farmers in Eden, and in conflict with the Town’s Farmland Protection Plan, which identifies the following goals:

1)     Stabilize the town’s agricultural land base and maintain 95% of the current active agricultural land in production through the next ten years.  

2)     Support Eden farmers as stewards of the land and other natural resources in the Town. 

3)     Maintain a supportive business environment for farm operations. Educate the non-farm public about agriculture and facilitate an ongoing dialogue between the farm community and other Eden residents.    

I believe the proposed solar farm at Knoll Road is in conflict with the criteria provided for in Town Code Chapter 172 which states, The Town Board of the Town of Eden adopts this chapter to accommodate the use of solar energy systems and to regulate the placement of solar energy systems so that the public health, safety, natural resources, and aesthetics of the Town and its residents will not be jeopardized. 

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning shared concerns about the project stating: The conversion of an agricultural parcel with prime and statewide important soils will result in the loss of a large agricultural parcel and adverse impacts farm operations and agricultural resources. This includes the fragmentation of agricultural lands resulting in smaller, separated farm fields, creating farm management challenges and the conversion of land containing soils of statewide importance.

I firmly believe that the placement of a solar farm in this location would compromise the Town’s rural character, aesthetics, and recreational attributes.

I urge the Town to protect our farmlands, deny the proposed plan, and consider a suitable alternate site for the project.

NOTE:  We are solely looking for signatures in support of our petition, not monetary donations. Thank you for your support.