We, the undersigned residents, landowners, neighbors, and concerned citizens respectfully urge our local leaders to reject the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the proposed 700-acre industrial-scale solar and battery storage project.

This project is inconsistent with the long-term goals outlined in our township (Section 9.5 Goals) and county land use plans (Section 10.02(5)(b)), including farmland preservation, conservation, protection of rural character, and responsible low-density development. 

Prime agricultural land is a finite resource, and once industrialized, the long-term impacts to soil productivity, drainage, wildlife habitat, and the agricultural economy cannot easily be reversed.

Residents have serious concerns including but not limited to:

• loss of productive farmland
• industrialization of rural landscapes
• stormwater runoff and erosion
• impacts to wells, streams, and drainage systems
• battery storage fire and chemical risks
• strain on local roads and emergency services
• property values and quality of life
• noise, glare, fencing, and visual impacts
• long-term decommissioning accountability
• wildlife and environmental impacts 
• cumulative industrial development impacts on our community

We support responsible energy solutions, but not at the expense of our farmland, environment, infrastructure, property rights, and local voice.

Large-scale industrial energy projects belong in appropriately zoned industrial areas — not on hundreds of acres of productive agricultural and wooded land in the Town of Sumner.

This petition is intended to demonstrate clear constituent opposition to this project and to respectfully request denial of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP).