HORTONVILLE — Two major projects moved closer to permits at Wednesday's Delaware Planning Board meeting.

Solar array

First up was Delaware River Solar's (DRS') commercial solar array, a project controversial with neighbors living along Hospital Road above Hortonville.

Representing DRS, attorney Ben Neidl argued that his client and “this board has done what it can do” to reasonably mitigate concerns over the viewshed, environment, health and property values.

“This is private property,” he stated. “It is not parkland or forever-wild land.”

However, it does contain wetlands for which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may require a disturbance permit.

And the requirements of such a permit - if ultimately mandated - should be known before the planning board issues its own permit, argued attorney Chris Denton, representing neighboring property owners.

He also contended that repeated runoff issues downhill from the proposed array site, along County Route 131, could be worsened by the array's presence.

“All we really ask is this board apply the same rigorous regulatory standards you would to any other industrial project at this site,” Denton said.

The board thereafter embarked on a half-hour review of part two of the state-required environmental assessment form. While potential impacts were acknowledged, they were deemed minimal by the board and town planner Tom Shepstone.

However, the board will discuss the impacts further, said Shepstone, and part three of the form will be reviewed at the next planning board meeting in June.

Cidery

Second up was the Seminary Hill Cidery project off Wagner Lane in Callicoon, which will boast a mountaintop view of the Delaware River valley.

The cidery's prime consultant, James Hartford, showed the planning board the general layout of the complex, which will feature a lower-level production area and an upper-level public tasting room, with the grounds available for weddings and other events amidst approximately 1,200 apple and pear trees.

“We're going for ‘passive house' certification,” said Hartford, referring to the solar panels that will generate up to 90 percent of the cidery's energy.

Open year-round, the cidery will employ about half a dozen full-timers, he estimated, plus seasonal workers.

“We're hoping to break ground this year,” he added.

The permitting process, however, has only begun, with both the county and Upper Delaware Council needing to be involved. Hartford was also asked to provide a narrative and an Ag Data Statement by the next planning board meeting, with a public hearing possible in July.