During its August 8 meeting, North Yarmouth Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Boundary Line Solar project. If approved, the 1-megawatt community solar farm would be the 2nd solar farm planned to be built in North Yarmouth. The Water Line Solar project to be built on Sweetser Road was approved on May 10, 2022. Both projects are designed by Branch Renewable Energy and proposed on property owned by Yarmouth Water District.
Branch Renewable Energy owner and North Yarmouth resident, Chris Byers, says building a solar farm on the Doughty Road property is an ideal use of the Yarmouth Water District owned lot. According to Byers, the former gravel pit is not suitable for housing development, but a solar farm can be installed with minimal upgrades to the site.
Central Maine Power transmission lines bisect the 20.9-acre parcel. The solar farm would be installed on the southerly section, with approximately 10.7 acres of the lot to be cleared.
The Planning Board voted the application complete at its July 11 meeting and conducted a site walk on July 18.
Once completed, the array could deliver to the grid enough electricity to supply 175 homes. Byers said his company would sell subscriptions giving approximately 15% savings on electricity costs. Subscribers would still pay a delivery charge to CMP on a separate bill. These subscriptions would be restricted to Maine residents.
Part of the project includes upgrading power lines along Doughty Road from single-phase power to 3-phase power. Additionally, Branch Renewable Energy is negotiating a Tangible Benefit Agreement with North Yarmouth, proposing to pay $2,000 per megawatt per year. This is not a tax payment or a payment in lieu of taxes. Yarmouth Water District as well as certain solar projects are exempt from property tax. Byers said, "We feel that we should be paying something as somebody that's occupying this land."
Byers said community engagement is a priority. “It’s how I operate.” Unlike developers that approach the Land Use Ordinance and projects as a “checking the boxes” process, Byers says he knocks on doors. “I want to try to do my best and educate them.”
At a May meeting with abutters, Byers collected feedback. He says he modified the project plan to address the concerns shared. Revisions included addressing potential stormwater runoff, moving the tree cut line, and adding plantings to his plan. “In Maine, landowner rights mean a lot.”
Pushback efforts from abutters led by Craig Rawsley question the impact on their property. Neighbors believe the project should not be built in a residential area. Concerns range from displacement of wildlife, damage to wetlands, threat to groundwater, erosion, visual impact, and decreased property value.
Rawsley grew up here. His family owned much of the property and says he knows the area well. A section of his lot, formerly part of the gravel pit, has been filled in and is a “highway for animals crossing between the pits.” Rawsley says he regularly sees deer, turkeys, fox, and turtles. A reputed bear cave is located on the property.
Trails loop around the site along former access roads and through “the race track.” Residents use the pit year-round for recreation. Many walk here in the summer. During winter, some ride snowmobiles, while an area is often “groomed” so kids can slide.
From his yard, Rawsley pointed to surveyor ribbon indicating the cut line visible through the trees. He’s frustrated by the number of trees to be removed. “I’m going to see it.” And he’s worried about what will happen to the trees that are left, especially along Doughty Road.
Other residents say they did not expect this. Both the Lords and the Hicks families of Browns Way say realtors had assured them the land would never be developed.
Planning Board members Paul Whitmarsh, Jeff Brown, and Sanford Peabody, were joined by Ben Scipione (Code Enforcement Officer) and nine residents, for the July 18 site walk. Byers highlighted key elements of the project including property lines, wetlands, and slopes.
North Yarmouth resident, Jason Fetigan, says the neighborhood will feel the impact of loss of green space from two sides. Cumberland Crossing Phase II housing development is adding 52 age-restricted houses near Valhalla Golf Course on the former Godsoe property.
According to Fetigan, “The Cumberland Crossing's project is zero-lined with the golf course, as in there is no buffer.” He’s worried about what will happen once the solar project is approved. “When the project behind my house went in years ago, they said the same thing, 100-foot buffer. It became 20-foot during building, and then disappeared to zero when people moved in.”
Byers says he’s taking resident concerns seriously and has done extra studies, as well as moved the tree cut line and will add additional buffer plantings. Byers believes the project will actually improve the condition of the property. Once trees are removed, excessive slopes will be modified to create a smooth, consistent gradient.
One low-value wetland is to be filled in. Ground stumps will be used for erosion control mulch (ECM) instead of fencing and berms will protect other wetland areas during construction. Byers hopes to eliminate the need to bring in fill or remove material from the site.
The area beneath the solar trackers will be transitioned to a meadowland, and the site will create “edge habitat” which Byers says is beneficial to the ecosystem.
The July 11 meeting closed with Planning Board voting to find the Site Plan Application complete.
The public hearing will begin at 6:30 pm. If approved, construction could begin as early as winter 2024 to be operational by early summer.
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