Solar Farm conditional use rejected

At this time the proposed Thorn Lake Solar Project in Manchester Township is off the table, after the Township Planning Commission denied its application on Thursday night. (Shutterstock photo)

by Marsha Chartrand

On Thursday, July 7, the Manchester Township Planning Commission, holding their meeting at Manchester Jr/Sr High School to accommodate a large crowd, voted 4–3 to reject the proposed conditional-use permit and site plan for the construction of the Thorn Lake Solar Project, accessed from Herman and Sharon Hollow Roads.

Read this article for more context on the Thorn Lake Solar Project decision.

In addition to many township residents, a court reporter, representatives of AES, the developers of the Thorn Lake Solar Project, and an attorney for AES were also in attendance at the meeting.

The Planning Commission first voted on whether a decision would be made that evening, and it was agreed to make the decision at that meeting. The township planner, John Enos of Carlisle-Wortman Associates, had assured the commission that the plan was in compliance with the township ordinances.

Manchester Township Planning Commission Chair Michael Walter said the resolution “denying the conditional-use permit and site plan for the construction of the Thorn Lake Solar Project“ was approved by a 4-to-3 vote. Commissioners Ashley Buniack, George Daubner, John Seefeld, and Dave Thompson voted for the denial. Commissioners Doug Brooks, Sybil Kolon, and Michael Walter were those who went on record as opposed to denying the resolution.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.