There was another full house for the Chestnuthill Township supervisors’ meeting Tuesday night.

Residents attended the meeting to see if there were any updates about the proposed solar farm and substation project.

“I am assuming most of you are here about the solar discussion,” Chairman Chuck Gould said.

The supervisors voted to table their authorization for Solicitor Tim McManus to advertise the Solar Overlay Ordinance.

“We are nowhere near ready to vote on an overlay district. We have a lot of homework to do before any vote,” Gould said.

There are about 11,000 acres in the township where commercial solar projects would be allowed. The overlay district would narrow the allowed acreage to 2,100.

Supervisors want to give the township planning commission and Monroe County planning commission time to review the documents and give comments.

The Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross, & Polk Townships Regional Planning Committee discussed it last week. There was a standing-room-only crowd.

Effort Solar LLC, based in Oceanside City, California, has submitted plans to Polk officials to build a solar panel farm near the intersection of Bear Road and Long Mountain Road. Its parent company is Samsung of Korea. No plans have been submitted to Chestnuthill yet.

Township officials are working on the solar overlay district ordinance, so they are ready when the plans are submitted.

The township must zone for commercial solar somewhere or risk being sued.

Chestnuthill officials said they spoke with someone at Penn Future, an organization that is focused on the state’s transition to clean energy. Although solar energy is from a reusable resource, solar farms are not better for the environment because of the clear cutting of trees required in most projects.

“This is new technology and new territory for most townships,” said resident Hector Ramirez when audience members were given time to make a comment or ask questions.

He wondered if taxing the solar company was possible, to which McManus answered no.

Residents asked for research and statistics regarding property values, impacts on the environment and impact on residents’ health in areas where there are solar farms.

“I don’t know answers for any of these yet. We need all of you to get through this issue. We need a clear path,” said Gould.

In other business:

• Supervisors approved the hanging of the West End Fair’s banner above Route 209. The fair runs Aug. 20-26 at the fairgrounds in Gilbert.

• The Aug. 15 supervisors meeting is canceled. They will meet Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.

• A resident asked about a rumor regarding township taxes going up 20% in 2024. Supervisors said there has been no discussion of a tax increase or any budgetary matter for next year. The budget conversation starts in November.