Cortlandville Town Board Rescinds Denial of Riley Road Solar Project – Allows Solar Field, Rejects Energy Storage System

The Cortlandville Town Board voted to rescind a previous decision in denying an aquifer protection permit for DG Riley Road, LLC, who looked to install a solar field off of Forbes Road in the Town of Cortlandville. The town board during their meeting back on October 1st, denied issuing an aquifer protection permit for the 5 megawatt solar field and 15 megawatt battery energy storage site.

The location in question is 5501 Forbes Road. DG Riley Road, LLC originally submitted their application for the project back in April of this year. Both the Cortland County Planning Department and the Cortlandville Planning Board, who acted as lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed project, would approve the project. The planning board would send their recommendation of approving an aquifer permit to the town board.

However, due to the concerns of battery storage in a remote area, and fire risks associated with the storage system, the town board ultimately decided to deny the aquifer protection permit during the October 1st meeting.

During Wednesday’s Town Board meeting, Town Board member David Donlick made the motion to rescind the prior denial of the aquifer protection permit for DG Riley Road, LLC. and to vote on issuance of the permit for the solar field. The battery energy storage system would still be denied.

Town Supervisor Greg Leach abstained from the vote, citing potential conflict. The motion was passed 3 to 1, Town Board member Guido voted against the issuance of the permit. The full resolution, 6 pages in total, may be found HERE.