Robert Irwin appeared with Atty Steve Cormier before the Nesquehoning Planning Committee Tuesday asking for a special exception use to begin plans to construct a solar park to produce power for Kovatch's Corporation Building.

Irwin is the project manager for Penn Wind-PA Solar and Cormier is the solicitor for Kovatch Coporation in Nesquehoning. The solar site would be constructed on the highest mountainside behind Redner's. The request was granted approval from members of the Planning Committee comprised of Gerry Heffelfinger, Sam Kitchko, Frank Jacobs, Mary Fox, and John McArdle. Thisis the first step in the request for construction by the two companies.David Lear, project manager from Lehigh Engineering Associates appeared before the committee, during the second half of the meeting, speaking on the Second Phase of the Solar Park plans on the Broad Mountain on top of the Rock Bank.They plan to tie this phase into Phase I which will begin next to it about 2500 feet away. The park will extend eastwardly on the property and a map showed the lay out of the Phase II site.John Curtis, from Green Energy Capital Partners and Lear told the committee that the Phase I section is ready to be constructed and all permits are in order. After it is finished the Phase II will start construction. The committee gave the go ahead with the inclusion of fire hydrants, gates and a two year clause. This must now go before the Zoning Board for approval.