OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Pictured are members of the Chautauqua Town Board.

A newly proposed solar project in the town of Chautauqua is upsetting one of its neighbors.

During a meeting of the Chautauqua Town Board, Mary Rappole, who, with her husband Bert, owns 4541 Chautauqua-Stedman Road, expressed concerns about the solar project proposed for 6455 Cadenza Passage, which sits by her property.

They are currently building another house on their property and plan on living in it. Their current house was previously a bed and breakfast and they may sell that someday.

Rappole said the proposed solar project will hurt the property’s value and impact her new home as well.

The solar project is currently under review by the town’s zoning board of appeals.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, at 4 p.m. at the town hall. According to a published legal notice the zoning will vote on the appeal of Forefront Power Arcadis to construct a solar collection facility. The property is located at 6455 Cadenza Passage in Mayville, which is outside the village. It is in a residential agricultural district and requires a variance.

If the zoning board approves the variance, the project will then move to the town board for final approval for a special use permit.

“We just ask that you really look at all the issues with water runoff, glaring and property values. There’s a lot of things that go in to it,” Rappole said.

The town has hired Wendel Engineering to review the proposal and give feed back to the zoning and town boards.

Rappole said if the town officials decide to give approval to the project, she asks that they consider altering the panels so the project isn’t directly behind her property.

Councilman Scott Cummings said he believes Wendel will be objective when it reviews the project. “We do feel that they are a very good company and are looking out for the town’s best interest. That’s why we hired them. They’re very good at what they do,” he said.

Rappole said she’s also concerned about runoff from the solar project.

Cummings said that will be addressed. “Storm water management is part of the process. They will have to prove that they can handle it. … It can’t go off on somebody else’s property,” he said.

Along with this solar project on Cadenza Passage, the zoning board will also hold a hearing Tuesday on a second project. In that one to act on the appeal of Sol Source Power, LLC for a Solar collection facility located at 6049 Wright Road, Dewittville.

Both projects are 5 megawatts or smaller.

The town board has a moratorium on solar projects, however the applications for both projects were put in place before the moratorium was enacted.