REQUEST FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Description (e.g., Contract Authorization for Information Services):
title
Request to Adopt a Negative SEQR Declaration for the Albany County Solar Project
body
Date: May 17,2022
Submitted By: Lucas Rogers
Department: CEO
Title: Analyst
Phone: 518-447-5566
Department Rep.
Attending Meeting: Laura DeGaetano/Michael McLaughlin
Purpose of Request:
☐ Adopting of Local Law
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☐ Countywide Services
☒ Environmental Impact/SEQR
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CONCERNING BUDGET AMENDMENTS
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CONCERNING ALL REQUESTS
Mandated Program/Service: Yes ☐ No ☒
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Is there a Fiscal Impact: Yes ☐ No ☒
Anticipated in Current Budget: Yes ☐ No ☐
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Impact on Pending Litigation Yes ☐ No ☒
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Previous requests for Identical or Similar Action:
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Justification: (state briefly why legislative action is requested)
The Office of the Albany County Executive is requesting the Legislature adopt the determination under SEQR that the proposed Albany County Solar Array project will not have a significant impact on the environment. The project consists of a lease of approximately 5 acres of County-owned property at 897 Watervliet Shaker Road to Siemens Industries LLC for the installation of a 1.87MW solar farm that will produce power for Albany County through a power purchase agreement.
The project was determined to be a Type I Action under SEQRA due to the location of the site within the Watervliet Shaker Historic District and the County took steps to establish lead agency, coordinate a review with involved agencies, and complete all necessary site studies. As part of its review process the County has reviewed Part 1 of the Full Environmental Assessment Form and comments from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The County also completed a viewshed analysis, Phase 1 Archaeological Investigation, landscape plan, tree inventory, carbon sequestration analysis and a draft site plan.
In consultation with SHPO, an historic preservation mitigation plan was developed to offset the potential visual impacts of this project. The measures were incorporated into the project and included in a Letter of Resolution (LOR). These measures include: (1) Document the site in its current condition; (2) Fund the replacement of the roof of the Meeting House on the Church Family site at a cost of up to $35,000 to be paid by Siemens Industry Inc.; (3) Use pollinator plants and native grasses in and around the perimeter fence of the solar array. These plants will help screen the array from drivers on Watervliet Shaker Rd. and multi-use path users. Based on these and other factors, we are requesting the Legislature adopt the determination under SEQR that the project will not have a significant impact on the environment.