Marian Shrine seeks to build solar array on its property

Public hearing for new local law permitting solar to be held August 8

BY KATHY KAHN

A solar array that would generate 1.8 megawatts of electricity is being proposed for a portion the grounds of the Marian Shrine. The Marian Shrine property overlaps the boundary of the towns of Stony Point and Haverstraw

Green Street Solar Power is working with Fr. John McKenna to use eight acres on a sloping section of the Shrine’s property for the array, which would provide 2.5 million kilowatts per year to the Marian Shrine property as well as 250 homes in the town.

Scott Kerner and Amanda Zurla gave the Stony Point Town Board a presentation of the proposed array for the site, which would be protected by wire fencing and screened from the road by trees. “It would not be an eyesore to the area or affect property values,” said KerNer. Green Street Solar would also create a storm water draining plan with the planning board when it reaches that stage of development.

The Marian Shrine would also get a discount for giving Green Street Solar Power the lease to use the property for the array but would receive no tax benefit from the panels since it is a religious, tax-exempt site.

Councilman Tom Basile said he’d like more information about other municipalities in the mid-Hudson that Green Street Solar has worked with.

Supervisor Jim Monaghan set a public hearing for Tuesday, August 8 at 7 p.m. at the RHO Building. The purpose of the hearing is to draft a local law to permit solar to be built on town or private property and leased out.

“Rockland has very little open space left to consider an array,” said Zurla, vice president of commercial assets for the solar company. “We are being very sensitive to the homes surrounding the Marian Shrine property, particularly Don Bosco Lane and Filor’s Lane, where I was born and lived till fourth grade. The array will not be in the view of the homes along either road.”

Should any trees be chopped down to accommodate the project, corporate policy is to plant two trees for every one removed.

  Green Street Solar Power, Marian Shrine, solar power