Developers for a proposed solar project in the town of Sheridan are seeking tax breaks through a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement.

During the Chautauqua County Industrial Development meeting, representatives with RIC Energy were in attendance virtually and discussed their proposed Sheridan II Solar project, a 3 megawatt project to be placed at 2979 Middle Road in the town.

The project is proposed to go on 34 acres, currently owned by Timothy Covert.

Weston Hillegas with RIC Energy said the land is mostly used for recreational purposes including hunting. It’s occasionally used for hay, but no other crop is grown there.

The proposal is for three different array fields, which will be gated and fenced. The solar panels will sit on 15.5 acres of land.

The project has been under investigation for over a year. The town of Sheridan has already held public hearings on the project and expressed support.

Hillegas said, according to the town’s zoning regulations, this is a permitted use and that no variance requests will be needed.

Currently the project is actually going on two separate parcels, both owned by Covert.

Hillegas said according to town law, the two parcels must be merged before they can get a building permit.

Hillegas noted that the town’s zoning is set up to discourage solar projects going on land owned by multiple property owners. Because Covert owns both parcels, he doesn’t foresee any objection.

The county IDA Board of Directors approved a due diligence resolution. That resolution permits IDA employees to explore the possibility of any tax agreements, including negotiating a Host Community Agreement.

Before any tax incentives can be authorized, the county will hold a public hearing and have environmental impact studies.

RIC Energy officials note they have solar projects in 27 counties in the state, including Chautauqua, Erie and Cattaraugus counties. In Chautauqua County they already have 47.9 megawatts worth of projects. In Erie County they have 30.3 megawatts worth of projects. In Cattaraugus County, they have a 2.8 megawatt project.

The 47.9 megawatts worth of projects in Chautauqua County is the second highest in the state, behind Onondaga, which has 50.9 megawatts worth of projects.