Up to3Resource is present, likely difficult to address
Evidence
Reported
Cited claims
12
Requirements
0
Requests
0
Rating
2Impacts likely but may be easily resolved
up to3Resource is present, likely difficult to address
The engine shows this rating as 2-3
The rule
Code computed the rating from the assessor's inputs:
impact_likely=yes -> 2
Set by the rule
Decision
Released
Evidence state
Reported · desktop, consultant or developer record
Worst case
If what is pending at the cut-off went badly, the same rule gives a higher rating.
Scenario
OPSB, responding to opposition on views and requests for 500-foot setbacks and taller screening, requires larger setbacks or more screening near homes and the cemetery, reducing usable area.
Step still pending
OPSB application review and public comment on the landscaping plan
Category 2 holds. Several specifics (KOP 2, R-6/R-7, 14,600 feet, warranty, 'unscreened') are not in the cited quotes. 'Adjoin' is overstated, avoidable differs between point and worst case, and Carroll County is listed with no local role.
Revised once after the first critique. Rating unchanged.
The five inputs
Present: yes
Sensitive viewers are documented: 23 residences within 1,000 feet (C-de59fd4446), Pettibone Family Cemetery 120 feet from arrays (C-76863a3272), and arrays visible from about 2.1 miles of public roads (C-d06343c798). No visibility from a designated scenic byway or state scenic river (C-f63db08a1e) does not negate these receptors.
Road visibility is mostly within half a mile (C-d06343c798), the recommended buffer is targeted at specific nearby residences rather than the whole perimeter (C-08ccaab9c2), and no scenic byway or river sees the project (C-f63db08a1e). The share of the site visible from receptors is not quantified, so this is a judgment; a KOP simulation would settle it.
A buffer of two staggered rows of native evergreens and shrubs is recommended (C-08ccaab9c2), good neighbor agreements with screening are offered to 14 homes and three have signed (C-f20a02cd94, C-f615487362), and moderate impact is expected to fall to low as plantings mature (C-0cac55218c). Cemetery views on three sides (C-76863a3272) need design attention. No local setback or screening standard applies (C-8041623932). Opposition seeks taller screening (C-87c8ed2e8e), carried into the worst case.
A landscaping plan is to be part of the OPSB application (C-29ea880786); no local zoning or screening standard applies (C-8041623932). Opposition on views and requests for 500-foot setbacks and taller screening (C-87c8ed2e8e) is not a documented individual visual proceeding.
Arrays 120 feet from the cemetery are visible on three sides (C-76863a3272), 23 residences lie within 1,000 feet (C-de59fd4446), low-potential glare is predicted at two residences (C-1a3c29d782), and moderate visual impact is expected for the first five years (C-0cac55218c). Direct views are likely for a typical build.
23 residences lie within 1,000 feet. Arrays are visible from about 2.1 miles of public roads, mostly within half a mile. At Pettibone Family Cemetery, 120 feet from arrays, they are visible on three sides. Low-potential glare at two residences. Moderate impact for five years, then low. No scenic byway visibility.
Critique
Verdict
upheld
Suggested direction for the rating
same
Summary
Assessment is largely supported. OPSB pathway and the worst case are reasonable. Minor issues: the 'targeted buffer' claim is not in the quote, the signed-agreement link is inferred, and the residence count may include participating homes. Category 2 stands.
Critic model
Luminol
Issues
Severity minor · Kind unsupported_statement
The extent rationale says the buffer is 'targeted at specific nearby residences rather than the whole perimeter' (C-08ccaab9c2). The quote only recommends a buffer of two staggered rows and says nothing about targeting. The 'peripheral' call needs a KOP or viewshed share to settle it.
'Three have signed' (C-f20a02cd94) does not say what was signed. Linking it to the good neighbor agreements is an inference. The 120-foot cemetery distance is also stated as 'from arrays' where the quote shows only '120 feet'.
23 residences within 1,000 feet may include participating homes. The assessment treats all of them as sensitive viewers. This does not change the category.
A vegetative buffer of two staggered rows of native evergreens and shrubs is recommended along about 14,600 linear feet, including near 14 non-participating residences.
Quote check Exact · Placed verbatim · The quote occurs on the page exactly as written. · Read as native
Glare, Aviation and Visual Memo - Tamsin Ridge
3. Visual assessment
The landscape is rolling farmland with wooded stream valleys. We built a viewshed model from bare-earth
terrain and the woodlots and prepared photo simulations from four key observation points (KOPs).
KOP Viewpoint Distance to Visibility without screening With screening
arrays
1 State Route 43 at Fescue Road 0.3 mile Arrays visible across open fields Mostly screened after 5
years
2 Linnet Road at R-6 and R-7 600 feet Arrays and BESS yard visible Partly screened
3 Fescue Road, west of Parcel 8 250 feet Arrays dominant in the view Screened
4 Pettibone Family Cemetery 120 feet Arrays visible on three sides Screened by buffer
planting
The viewshed model shows arrays visible from about 2.1 miles of public roads, mostly within half a mile. The
Project is not visible from any designated scenic byway or state scenic river.
4. Landscaping and screening plan
Quote starts. We recommend a vegetative buffer of two staggered rows of native evergreens and shrubs Quote ends., planted at 5 to 6
feet and reaching 10 to 12 feet within five years, along about 14,600 linear feet: beside the 14 non-participating
residences nearest the fence, along the State Route 43 frontage, around the BESS yard and substation, and
around the cemetery buffer. A landscaping plan with species, spacing and a two-year replacement warranty
should be part of the OPSB application. Agricultural-style fencing (woven wire on wood posts) reduces the
industrial look of the perimeter.
With the screening, we expect a moderate visual impact during the first five years, falling to low after the
plantings mature, except at KOP 2, where the BESS yard and substation remain partly visible from residences
R-6 and R-7.
Ivo Marchetti, Principal, Parhelion Analytics, LLC.
Parhelion Analytics, LLC Page 2 of 2
The outline marks where the quote begins on the page.
C-08ccaab9c2
A vegetative buffer of two staggered rows of native evergreens and shrubs is recommended along about 14,600 linear feet, including near 14 non-participating residences.
Quoted from page 2
We recommend a vegetative buffer of two staggered rows of native evergreens and shrubs
Moderate visual impact is expected during the first five years, falling to low, except at KOP 2 where the BESS yard and substation remain partly visible from R-6 and R-7.
Quoted from page 2
we expect a moderate visual impact during the first five years, falling to low after the
plantings mature
No local zoning, conditional use, variance or site plan approval is required, and no local setback, height or screening standard applies to the proposed facility.
Quoted from page 1
No local zoning permit, conditional use permit, variance or
site plan approval is therefore required for the proposed facility, and no local setback, height or screening
standard applies to it.
The requirements the assessor tied to this row, by level. Each quote from dated law is shown with its source.
No requirement is tied to this row.
Information requests
No information request for this row.
Next steps
Include landscaping plan and vegetative buffer in the OPSB application.
Add screening or setback at Pettibone Family Cemetery; run KOP simulations to confirm extent.
Continue good neighbor agreements with the 14 nearest non-participating homes.
Agencies
OPSB
Cost and impact
Impact
C, S
Potential cost level
L-M
Why
Vegetative buffer plantings and screening offered under good neighbor agreements, with possible added screening at the cemetery. Modest schedule exposure through OPSB application content and public comment.
Impact: C = cost, S = schedule. Potential cost level: L, L-M, M, M-H, H (relative to a utility-scale solar budget).
Comments
23 residences lie within 1,000 feet. Arrays are visible from about 2.1 miles of public roads, mostly within half a mile. At Pettibone Family Cemetery, 120 feet from arrays, they are visible on three sides. Low-potential glare at two residences. Moderate impact for five years, then low. No scenic byway visibility.