The Town of Rhinebeck Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 17 heard extended discussion about visual screening and production impacts for a ground-mounted solar array in the Doves Nest Southlands project (ZBA case 1078). The Planning Board issued a negative declaration on Sept. 15, allowing the ZBA to take up a resolution.

Why it matters: The board weighed the tradeoff between visual screening for neighboring views and year‑round solar production. Trees placed near the southern property line reduce public visibility but will cause some shading loss — primarily in winter months — that the board and applicant said would be “slight” but measurable.

What was discussed
- Screening plan: The applicant said the revised plan fills visual gaps with five Canadian hemlocks and one white pine to create year‑round screening on the eastern property line; willows on the east side will be pruned as they grow. The applicant and board discussed mature heights and pruning strategies to limit shading while maintaining visual cover.

- Production loss: Applicant representatives said proximity to the southern property line and screening will cause “some production loss,” mainly in morning hours and in winter, but described the loss as “not huge.” The board pressed that the applicant document expected production impacts and planting heights.

- Planning Board status and next steps: The transcript records that the Rhinebeck Planning Board issued a negative declaration Sept. 15, enabling the ZBA to act. The ZBA closed the public hearing and said it expects to adopt a resolution after members complete a site visit scheduled for Oct. 11 and before the Oct. 15 meeting when a resolution will be read.

Quotes (from the record)
- Applicant representative: “The plan is now to kinda fill those gaps and fill in that array with five Canadian hemlocks and one white pine.”
- Board member (on shading): “There will be some shading element…primarily the winter months when the sun is in winter solstice.”

Procedural outcome
- Public hearing: Closed Sept. 17.
- Next steps: Site visit planned Oct. 11; ZBA to draft/consider resolution at its Oct. 15 meeting. Applicants were invited to provide any written agreements from neighboring landowners that might modify screening needs.

Ending
The board closed the hearing but left several open questions for the applicant to document (mature heights, expected percent production loss and a planting/maintenance plan); the item will return Oct. 15 for a formal vote or further deliberation.