UPDATE 1/31: The town of Elmira on Friday announced that Monday, February 3rd's scheduled planning board meeting will proceed as scheduled. However, Carson Power has submitted a request to adjourn the meeting so a larger venue can be secured, to accommodate the number of people expected to attend.

The planning board is expected to adjourn the agenda item concerning consideration of Carson Power's site plan and special permit approval until its next meeting, on March 3rd at 7PM. 

Additionally, the town states that Carson Power has waived its condition that requires the planning board to act within 62 days of the close of the public hearing, and allow for extra time for consideration by the planning board.


ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Dozens of neighbors sounded off at a community information session about a proposed solar farm development in the Town of Elmira on Wednesday night.  Concerns ranged from safety, to stress on the local fire department, to what they say is a lack of information and notice about the project.

"We don't have to oppose solar energy and battery storage, but siteing, I think, we have to be very conservative," said Mike Smith, a Chemung County Legislator and former Chemung County Emergency Management Coordinator.

Residents and neighbors packed the room at the White Eagle Club for a community information meeting.  According to Town of Elmira meeting minutes, the plans are for two solar farms and a large battery to store some of that energy.  One site is on West Hill Road, and the other on Hillcrest Road. 

A panel of officials were at this meeting, including the Elmira Fire Marshall, a former emergency management director, an attorney, and a member of a neighboring town board.  They aimed to address and inform about some of these concerns mentioned.

Representatives from Carson Solar, the developer of this project, say a lot of the concerns have already been addressed.  They say they have been in contact with fire specialists, environmental specialists, and the town, and say they understand the safety concerns.

"From a safety standpoint, solar is very safe. From the battery standpoint it's new," said Nicholas Cunha, a senior project developer with Carson Power.  "You know there are those risks that come with batteries, they're on the news, et cetera.  There are safety measures that are put in place, and we are happy to comply with those and offer training to that effect. From a runoff perspective, the system is contained. We have added to the site lots of stormwater features. It's a 500 page storm water prevention plan that we've been working with the county on reviewing. We get their feedback, we implement it, and so that's a constant work in progress to both comply with their standards and you know, every case gets reviewed by them. So, we're we've been working with them for months to make sure that this fits the bill for them. So a lot of the concerns that came up tonight are valid, and we've been addressing them."

Within a one-mile radius of the proposed solar farm on West Hill, includes the Elmira Correctional Facility, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and several schools, as well as the Elmira Reservoir.  While the site is in the Town of Elmira, it closely borders the City of Elmira.  Only residents within 200 feet of the site, who live in the town of Elmira, were notified by mail about the project, which was a large source of concern for many who attended the meeting.

"Living as close as I lived, you know we weren't notified of it, as many neighbors weren't.  As you can see, they all came out tonight to speak against it and there's concern," said nearby neighbor Mike Robertson. "So it needs to be addressed that way. It needs to be listened to. I think they come out and spoke, and I think their voices should be heard."

One sentiment seemed to echo throughout the night from concerned neighbors.

"I hope the town planning board on Monday evening listens to the community, the concerns of the community, and puts this project on hold," said John Burin, the organizer of the community information session and neighbor of the project.

The Town of Elmira Planning Board is meeting on Monday, February 3rd at 7 p.m.