Central to the meeting was the detailed review of ASD Cape Cod Holdings LLC’s ambitious solar project. The plan involves transforming approximately 57 acres of a golf course into a community solar farm, with solar panels installed over pollinator meadows. This project highlights a commitment to sustainable energy, proposing two 5-megawatt solar arrays and one 3.5-megawatt array. These installations are expected to power around 2,200 homes annually, contributing to Falmouth’s energy needs. The project also includes a battery storage system to stabilize the local grid, providing consistent power supply even during peak demands.

While the project promises substantial environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions by approximately 285,000 tons over 25 years, board members and the public raised concerns about its ecological impact. Discussions emphasized maintaining environmental integrity by replanting 16 acres of forested uplands and converting fairways into native meadows. This effort is designed to enhance biodiversity, particularly for local wildlife such as turtles, by ensuring safe travel corridors between water bodies like Kunamaset Pond and Round Pond.

A environmental concern is the extensive tree clearing required for the project. The project plans to clear about 10 acres, impacting upland forests and managed tree areas. To mitigate this, the project proposes comprehensive ecological restoration, including replanting trees and shrubs around sensitive areas like vernal pools. However, some residents questioned the necessity of such extensive clearing and its potential impact on local wildlife, such as deer and coyotes.

Visual impacts also sparked debate. The board discussed the project’s visibility from local roads, particularly Boxberry Hill Road, emphasizing the need for robust screening using native plantings. The proposed solar arrays’ height, which can reach up to 11 feet, raised concerns about their visibility against the scenic landscape, prompting suggestions for enhanced buffer zones.

The project’s community solar aspect offers economic benefits, including significant discounts on electricity bills for local residents, especially low-income subscribers. However, some expressed skepticism about the actual savings, noting that discounts apply only to the supply portion of the bill.

Addressing procedural matters, the board noted that the project requires only a site plan review under local zoning bylaws. This designation as a “by-right” use simplifies the approval process but does not mitigate the need for ongoing public dialogue to address environmental and community concerns. The project’s compliance with the Massachusetts Dover Amendment, which limits municipal regulation of solar projects, was also highlighted.

In addition to the solar project, the board discussed a planned residential development on Carriage Shop Road. The proposal seeks to add a fourth lot to an existing three-lot subdivision, leveraging open space provisions to achieve this expansion. The development aims to maintain over 67% of the parcel as open space, exceeding the required 50%, and includes a commitment to donate preserved land to the town.

Residents expressed general support for the development, appreciating its focus on minimizing environmental impact and preserving open spaces. Questions arose about logistical aspects, such as access points and potential impacts on neighboring properties, which the applicant addressed by detailing the planned road layout and ensuring minimal disruption to existing traffic patterns.