Effort Solar’s conditional use hearing for the proposed solar panel farm near the intersection of Bear and Long Mountain Roads continued this week.

This was the fifth night of the hearing, with approximately 75 residents attending. The hearing included Polk’s three supervisors 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.

The evening was a time for residents to present evidence and make their case to the board of supervisors. Fox and the supervisors were allowed to ask questions. The residents submitted their documents and PowerPoint presentations as exhibits.

“This proposed project will not improve our community,” said Sarah Martini. “It belongs in a district zoned for what it is - industrial use. It does not belong in agricultural and residential space because there are risks.”

For some 20 minutes, she presented a stack of studies and statistics she had gathered on how property values would decrease, toxicity of the solar panel components, the potential of fire hazards and threats to various species of animals.

Joanna Valentine questioned if enough time was spent on environmental impact studies.

“People live here because of the natural beauty and tranquillity. This project will impact bats, eagles, flying squirrels, bog turtles, box turtles, turkeys and deer,” she said.

She too was concerned about the fire risks and what limited resources Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department had to put out a fire involving the panels, grass or wooded area.

Gary Strohl said he had spoken with the Pennsylvania Game Commission three times on the phone. Until he had contacted them, the agency was unaware of the proposed use of the land.

“I am very worried about what could happen if this project is approved,” said Strohl, who lives on Long Mountain Road, less than an eighth of a mile from the proposed site.

Resident Deb Modica, a licensed real estate agent since 1996, said the probability of her selling a home near a solar farm would be less than a house located elsewhere that costs more.

“This will definitely have an impact on the housing market,” she said.

Modica told the audience that she traveled to various solar farms owned by Samsung in Virginia, Maryland and one in Lancaster.

“While at the one in Spotsylvania, Virginia, I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. It was so unbelievably loud,” she said.

This one was in the construction phase and a panel was being moved and installed. She was a distance away from it but could hear it. Spotsylvania’s is also close to a residential area, she said.

“We ask you, the board of supervisors, to hold off until we have more answers. Make commercial solar go into an industrial area,” she said.

She encouraged them to follow Chestnuthill Township, whose ordinance change in October 2023 prohibited the planned substation for this project from going there. Effort Solar has yet to propose a new location for it, but it would have to now be in Polk Township.

This proposed project is on about 205 acres of farmland and across from some 30 homes. Effort Solar chose this location because of its proximity to transmission lines.

“We are in contention with each other over this. We are concerned about our township’s aesthetic value. A community has the right to determine the vision of its land,” said Janet Dooner, the final resident to speak Monday evening.

Polk Township solicitor James Fareri said the residents have 30 days, which is May 2, to submit any other evidence, either by email or bringing it to the Polk Township municipal building.

The board of supervisors and Fareri will meet at 6 p.m. on May 14. They will immediately go into an executive session. No decisions will be made.

He said a second executive session may be needed at 6 p.m. on May 28.

“After that, a day will be advertised to give the public decision. A written decision must occur no later than July 1,” said Fareri.