So, we’ve laid out in the two previous articles that Mr Feiner will invariably ensure success for another non-resident, outside developer with a proposal that not only has no boundaries, but promises nothing for the Town except for a few fees and a minute amount of tax revenue as they seek to have a direct underground connection with the ConEd substation in Elmsford next to Bed Bath and Beyond. The link will go to their currently proposed battery storage array setup they are proposing on the Knollwood Country Club.
While seeking more information, we learned that there are two additional applications for solar powered battery storage to be built in Greenburgh on Central Avenue. As far as we can tell, the difference between these applications is that the Knollwood Country Club proposal is fed with direct power from ConEd and is not impinging on residential housing. The other is intended to be put in the Greenville and Midway Shopping Centers behind the buildings but nearer to residences. Apparently, these two will be solar powered energy storage units similar to what has already been installed at 660 Tarrytown Road, Tarrytown & 555 Taxter Rd , Elmsford.
While digging into this Knollwood Country Club debacle – debacle because Mr Feiner has suggested a compromise only after the Knollwood Country Club proposal gets its approval, we learned that these other proposals are similar but different and are being requested by IPP Solar based on the current installations at 660 Tarrytown Road.& 555 Taxter Rd.
They are now seeking to install 2 more energy storage units comparable to what was installed in the West Elmsford section of Greenburgh. Designated by some as Greenburgh’s wild, wild west, this is an area bereft of zoning adherence or concern to neighborhood concerns and plights. It’s where Mr Feiner ignored the Glenville Civic Association’s concerns about Stop and Shop and later, Brightview Assisted Living. It’s too bad for them that one of the Town Council members didn’t live there. Then they never would have been built.
Regardless, these energy companies are seeking to install storage array units seemingly throughout the Town. We haven’t heard of any other communities being saddled with these, so it appears once again that Mr Feiner’s Developer Open Invitation policy is starting to spread as more and more outsiders look to install money making devices in our Town without much if anything coming back to the taxpayer. So regardless of how they are acquiring the energy, they will be making money simply by selling it back to ConEd at a higher price.
At 660 White Plains Road, the unit itself sits in what might be considered the flow of traffic for the office building - it’s in front of or the Marriott Hotel nearby (see picture). Surrounded by posts to stop vehicles from coming into contact with it.
While another “done deal” is quickly materializing, Mr Feiner has promised a proposal to issue a Moratorium on applications for battery energy storage systems, solar farms and wind turbines. Make no mistake, this is no compromise nor does it address the battery storage system that he is pushing to install in the Knollwood Country Club property! Why isn’t it a compromise? Here’s what he “proposed” about how his Town Board shall proceed (our highlights in red):
1) We accomodate [sic] Knollwood by stating that, if a special permit has satisfactory conditions regarding the environment, public safety and absolute restriction on any further battery energy storage facilities on the land now owned by Knollwood, then the Town Board does not see any reason that the application cannot move forward at this time.
2) Most importantly for the community, the Town is providing immediate notice that a moratorium may be imposed. Potential applicants are on notice as of today, December 29, 2020, that they could be subject to the moratorium on any and all applications for battery and energy storage facilities, solar farms and wind turbines.
… The moratorium will have a fixed date and not be subject to renewal. This is in response to concerns some people had that moratoriums tend to get extended. My goal is not to delay…
As is so typical for Mr Feiner, rather than protect the environment, the residents and ultimately the Town, he’s doing his usual double-speak rope-a-dope to appear as though he cares. When, in reality, all he truly cares about is the developer. This has to change. Only then, will we get A Better Greenburgh.
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