08-02-2025
Colorado company plans to build solar farm in Hounsfield
Feb. 6—WATERTOWN — The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency gave initial approval for a tax abatement package to a Colorado renewal energy company to create a solar farm in the town of Hounsfield.
The JCIDA board on Thursday approved an "initial resolution" for a Payment In Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT package to AES Black River LLC.
The Louisville, Colorado, company plans to build a 2.4-megawatt solar array on 19 acres of vacant agricultural land at 19172 County Road 66, near Route 3.
Final approval will occur at a future JCIDA meeting.
According to its application to the JCIDA, AES Black River will lease the land from the current owner.
JCIDA board members described the $9.2 million project as a small to medium solar farm.
According to the application, brush will create a natural buffer to prevent a view along Route 3.
"You're never going to see it from Route 3," JCIDA board member Paul Warneck said.
AES company official Diana Boylan attended the meeting through zoom to answer questions about the project. Two Sackets Harbor School District officials also were on Zoom.
School Superintendent Jennifer Gaffney asked why the developer had not notified the district about the project. The JCIDA invited her to attend the meeting.
She also expressed concern that the property taxes generated by the project could impact the district's state tax cap restrictions.
A public hearing will be set for the PILOT agreement. The JCIDA board's loan review and alternative energy committees will take up the project in the coming weeks.
The Hounsfield Town Planning Board approved a site plan for the project in September.
