PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Aurora BayCare Medical Center is proposing a 13-acre solar farm, which would be built east of the hospital – although some concerns are already being raised about the idea.
“We are looking to install this system so we can meet our long-term site energy goals while providing a reduced carbon footprint to our current energy model. This project will also align with our commitment to our community and our investment of sustaining our campus needs for many years into the future,” wrote Brian Rasmussen, direct of support services, in a letter with the application packet to the city.
The array would be placed on the south side of Greenbrier Road, west of Ontario Road. The site is currently an empty field.
The site is about 567,000 square feet, with the solar array would taking up about two-thirds of the site, with the rest being green space. Trees would ring most of the site. The 5,000-unit, ground-mounted array would be aligned in 13 rows of various lengths. They would be stationary and would not rotate. It would generate 3.94 GWh of electricity annually.
City staff expressed some reservations about the project, in a memo to the Plan Commission.
“The staff believe this type of use is not the highest and best use for property within the Business Center as it typically has a far lower property value than other manufacturing uses, is not an employment generator, is not an activity / destination use, and is difficult to design with the overall aesthetic purposes of the business center. However, staff feels this request meets the standards for Conditional Use Permit approval, with conditions. It will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare; it will not impede orderly development, especially as this use can be easily removed if the site is to be redeveloped; the design will not diminish property values in the area; it has adequate utilities to service it; adequate measures are provided to provide access and parking and the overall use will conform to all regulations of the I-43 Business Center PUD,” the memo states.
The site does have residential homes adjacent on the south side. One potential neighbor, Amy Gajeski, already filed her opposition to the project with the city.
“I understand the request & energy goals of Aurora but this is not aesthetically pleasing for the residents who reside right behind this property. These panels will be 20 feet tall. I’m concerned about looks, decrease in property value, health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF), humming noises & impact to wildlife. I’m not sure how many people want to look out there back/side windows and see a large solar farm right behind your property,” she wrote.
The Green Bay Plan Commission will discuss the project Friday. The meeting is at 12:30 p.m. in room 604 of City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street.
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