Effort Solar’s conditional use hearing continued Tuesday evening with testimony from an environmental scientist and a lot of questions from Polk Township residents worried about the impact of the proposed solar panel farm near the intersection of Bear and Long Mountain roads.

The hearing was held inside the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall, with approximately 75 residents, Polk’s three supervisors, engineer and township solicitor, and a panel of five industry experts led by attorney Nate Fox, of the Obermayer law firm who is representing Effort Solar, in attendance.

“The rural character of this area is expected to remain the same. The project is not going to add people to the township or potential situations where you will need law enforcement,” said Max Ojserkis, a wetlands scientist with Kimley-Horn.

Once the project is completed, the disturbances - such as the increased truck traffic, clearing of trees, installation of the panels and removal of dirt and debris - goes away. Unlike a housing or commercial development, no one moves in and vehicle and foot traffic do not increase, he said.

He testified that he spent four eight-hour days at the property to do his environmental impact study. He was there from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

“There are about 3 acres containing a driveway and an historical building, 142 acres of forest, 50 acres of agricultural land and 13 acres of Christmas trees,” he said.

The building will not be impacted by or taken down if the project is approved, he added.

Wildlife impact

Ojserkis said the project would have limited environmental impact on wildlife because the animals - such as deer, owls, bears and bats - are resilient and there are a lot of other wooded areas nearby.

A protective measure especially for the bat population is part of the proposal and it is “clearing trees Oct. 31 through March 31,” he said.

There will be no withdrawal of ground water. Stormwater runoff will comply with the township’s regulations.

The panels will be raised off the ground and on a slant, so rain and snow will slide off and go down into the vegetation under the panels, he said.

Overall, his findings were that “there will be minor impacts” to the land and ecosystem.

At early hearings, about a dozen residents were added as parties by township solicitor James Fareri and agreed upon by Fox. The parties were allowed to ask questions and give statements at designated times. A few more residents were added as parties on Tuesday.

Resident Christy Goff asked Ojserkis how he could conclude that the project would have minimal impact on the community?

“The way the lands look is a reason why we moved here and why we stay here,” she said.

Goff and her family live on Leisure Lane and are among the residents who received a letter about the proposed project when it began last year. Their residence is across the street from where the solar farm would be located.

“You’re going to fence in the area. You are going to change the character of this area. You have to understand where we are coming from and that what you’re saying is not making any of us feel better about this,” Goff said.

Other residents expressed concern about hitting displaced deer with their vehicles or having more bears potentially showing up in their backyard - where their children play.

Fire protection

Polk Township Fire Chief Billy Tippett asked about water supply if there is a brush fire or if the panels caught on fire. He said that the area does not have fire hydrants and that water comes from tankers - and that water is pulled from streams, ponds and lakes.

“We want to understand the response capabilities and will work with the fire department. We know this is a public safety concern,” Fox said.

Tippett also wondered about specialized training and equipment.

“Has Samsung put these solar panels in other parts of the United States? If so, may I have a reference or contact information for their local fire department. I don’t want us to go into this blind,” Tippett said.

Chris Simmons, a Samsung development manager for renewable energy, said he is responsible for many solar farm sites for Samsung in California, and he can give Tippett that information.

Other residents asked about soil contamination during the installation and over the lifetime of the panels, should there be any breakage or fire.

Ojserkis said during his testimony that he had not tested the soil during his four days collecting data for the environmental impact study.

“Could you do some sort of baseline soil test as a precaution? So, we know for later down the road in case something happens?” asked Polk Township Supervisor Brian Ahner.

Fox said pre-testing can be a condition for use.

Township Engineer Russell Kresge asked for clarification regarding testimony that the substation would not be in Polk Township, and therefore no water would be drawn here for that substation.

Fox reiterated that only the solar panel farm would be in Polk. The substation would be part of a different township and a different proposal.

According to the plans, the substation would be across the township border in Chestnuthill Township. Chestnuthill supervisors have yet to receive a proposal from Effort Solar.

In October, the Chestnuthill Township amended an ordinance, which limited the location of solar farms to about a 200-acre light commercial area. This is an effort to protect farmland.

The hearing ended at 9 p.m. and will continued at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the firehouse.