ABERFOYLE – Puslinch council has rejected a request for a letter of support for a proposed solar farm, calling it a “cart before the horse” kind of request.
Zachary Rypalowski delegated to council on Sept. 24 on behalf of his business partners at Integrative Project Solutions Ltd., who want to lease land in the township to install a solar farm.
Rypalowski said the solar farm would be located on a part of the property that’s not zoned prime agriculture, and the solar panels would be well set back from the road and blocked from view by trees.
The site would connect to a Hydro One power line and feed Ontario’s electrical system with a 5,000-kilowatt capacity.
The energy produced would be clean, non-emitting energy without air emissions or water use, he said.
Gyongyi and Les Dorgo own the property at 3970 Sideroad 20 South and spoke to council in support of the proposal.
“It would be positive in Puslinch,” they said. “It will set a precedent for other communities.”
The business partners had a pre-consultation meeting with township staff last October and presented to council in November.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has another round of RFPs for businesses, with an Oct. 16 deadline. Submissions must contain a letter of support from the host municipality.
Rypalowski was seeking that permission but received push back from councillors, who generally supported the concept of a solar farm but didn’t want to send a letter of support without going through proper planning procedures.
Clerk Justine Brotherson noted the project would need a zoning change from the township and an official plan amendment from Wellington County. She added no applications have been received to-date, despite the pre-consultation.
“There are milestones to complete, and you haven’t started anything,” said councillor John Sepulis.
“I would support this but there are a lot of steps to bring to fruition first.”
“I can’t see approving this without hearing from the public,” said councillor Sara Bailey.
Councillor Jessica Goyda agreed, noting, “I can’t support this without public engagement.”
“The support letter doesn’t guarantee anything,” Rypalowski countered, noting the project won’t be considered by the IESO without one.
“We need IESO approval first to do the next steps.”
“It seems to put the cart before the horse,” said councillor Russel Hurst. “It seems like a flawed process.”
Mayor James Seeley drew a comparison with the battery energy storage facility recently approved in Centre Wellington, noting Aypa Power will make annual community benefit contributions over its 20-year lease.
“This is the type of growth we could have. I don’t want to miss out because we don’t have a (community benefit) strategy,” Seeley said.
Council directed staff to create a community benefit strategy and to write to the IESO expressing its opinion that the process is flawed; and ultimately declined a support resolution.
