As residents of Coolspring township we urge the planning commission and our township supervisors to consider the beauty of our community and the wellbeing of all of our residents as it relates to industrial energy generation facilities. We do support generous landowner’s rights, however when converting land from previously housed agricultural or residential uses to industrial with a large-scale solar power plant we ask for humble consideration of the surrounding community’s well-being and requests.  

We are grateful for the work our supervisors have already started on the solar projects and applaud provisions already set forth in ordinance #96. Specially as it pertains to storm water management, fencing, buffering and decommissioning.

In addition to the items set forth in the current Ordinance #96, as residents of Coolspring Township we ask that the additional setback amendments be considered and voted on to offer further protection to residents from the solar industrial power plants that are being created within our community.

·        An EGF shall comply with the setback of the underlying zoning district for principal structures along property lines and 150 feet from future or existing road centerlines. The required setbacks are measured from the centerline along roads or from property lines where no road exists to the nearest part of the system. No party or extension of a below or above ground mounted system shall extend into the required setbacks.

 

o   Current requirement is 50 ft from road or property line, per 612.03

 

·        An EGF shall comply with the setback of the underlying zoning district for principal structures, that no such EGS structure shall be built within a minimum of 500 feet of an existing home or animal housing structure without the express written consent of the homeowner/landowner.

 

o   No current setback requirement from already existing housing.

 

 

·        An EGF shall enhance the landscaping and aesthetics to help blend the facility into the beauty of the surrounding area through the use of shrubbery and other green vegetation. The landscaping shall surround the entire site to the degree it is accessible and not at the expense of a densely populated and previously established tree line, forest or wood line; to minimize the impact on local wildlife habitation. 

 

o   No current requirement for beautification.

We understand that not allowing solar farming in our township is not an option; therefore, this is not an anti-solar campaign, we believe that large industrial solar farms should be located on industrial sites and not on productive farmland or in close proximately to residential homes to ensure the safety of our residents, environment, and local wildlife.

This petition is a plea for reasonable setbacks as it pertains to the existing & future township base. The above requests are for minimum setbacks and requirements.