Minutes 05-27-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Michael Fox: So you have an opinion, but you didn't test it. Bob Thomas: The only thing that I could think of to test it against would be with solar farms that would be in similar subdivisions, and I don't know of any of those. Michael Fox: Did you look for any of those? Bob Thomas: No, I did not. Michael Fox: I don't have any further questions. Thank you. David Rooks: At this time, we would call Mr. John Petranka. John Petranka referred to the following items, as submitted to the clerk, in his testimony: May 27, 2014 To the Planning Board and County Commissioners: My name is John Petranka and my wife is Sally Gewalt. We have lived in the Falls of New Hope Neighborhood on the corner of Falls Drive and Cascade Drive since 1991. We chose to live in this neighborhood intentionally and specifically because it is located within the Rural Buffer where we believed that thoughtful zoning regulations would work to preserve the rural qualities of Orange County. We are writing to express our strongest opposition to granting a Class A Special Use Permit for the solar power development proposed to be built directly across the street from our home at 2531 Falls Drive. We think that a development of this size (ca. 20 acres of panels) is not in harmony with the existing neighborhood and its surroundings. The fact that it is sited directly adjacent to the gateway to our long-established neighborhood will cause us (and our neighbors) to unjustly bear a large penalty in terms of noise, visual blight and reduced property values. My general objections to the proposed development are: 1. A development of this size and industrial nature is inappropriate within the Rural Buffer, and does not serve to promote the values for which the Buffer was established. In addition I question whether this project is truly a public necessity, or whether it is more properly seen as an investment opportunity for the developers to take advantage of before tax incentives expire. 2. Even if one argues that such a development could be appropriate within the Rural Buffer, the siting of this proposed project is inappropriate, being directly adjacent to a long-established ca. 100 home neighborhood. More personally, it is within 75 feet or so from our property (and even closer to some of our neighbors) and will almost certainly result in our and our neighbors' property values decreasing. 3. The process thus far has been skewed heavily towards the applicants. From the date that the certified letters from Orange County arrived on Saturday May 10, we have had only eleven business days (Monday the 26th being Memorial Day) to digest the information in the application, attempt to hire legal representation, and obtain appraisals and other credible evidence with which to advocate against the project. Of course, this is in addition to trying to balance work and family life. On the other hand, the applicants submitted the application in early