Could the City of Gillespie place so-called “infrastructure” on your doorstep? Hmm, makes me wonder.
I am writing this to awaken the residents of Gillespie to the actions of the City placing a 250KW SOLAR FARM in a residentially zoned area, less than 90 feet from my front door.
The City claims a provision of Municipal Variance for City Infrastructure. This SOLAR FARM is an electrical generation facility – NOT A CITY INFRASTRUCTURE!
Talking to some of the Aldermen, at no time was it brought to a vote to place this SOLAR FARM on these City lots. Who made this decision? Hmm, makes me wonder.
Were other locations considered? I brought up placing the SOLAR FARM behind and on the side of the old water plant. I was told that the shade of the water tower made it impractical. Driving by the water towel every day shoes the shade for most of the year is not affecting this area at all and partially for short periods of the day presently not more than 50 feet to the north and not shading the area at all. The trees on my property presently shade the entire field next to my home by 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day! And my 9-year-old trees will only grow taller. How thorough of a shade study was done, besides one picture? Hmm, makes me wonder.
I asked at the last council meeting if the City was continuing this project, despite my and other adjoining landowners concerns and was basically told that it is their property and they would do whatever they want with it! No discussion! Crews arrived on the next Friday at 2:30 p.m. and worked until after 9:00 p.m., by pickup truck headlights. The work continued all day Saturday and Sunday to erect as much of the structure as they could. Speaking to the employee in charge, he stated they have a time frame to complete the project. Were they instructed to rush and get up as much as possible to make it harder to stop this project? Hmm, makes me wonder. Being non-union employees doing the work, are they trying to avoid union protest? Are they paying prevailing wages to employees on overtime and weekends as required by state law? Hmm, makes me wonder. Who from the City is in charge of this project? Is there a council committee overseeing this? If not, who is? Hmm, makes me wonder. Is it someone who is not an elected councilman, who happens to have a solar installation at his home constructed by the same company? Hmm, makes me wonder. Is it the same person overseeing the spillway project where repairs were inadequate and damaged this spring, now being repaired again? Hmm, makes me wonder. Are all City projects handled in this manner? Hmm, makes me wonder.
Why were adjoining landowners and residents of this neighborhood NOT informed of a project of this size and magnitude? Hmm, makes me wonder.
As I informed the council that I intend to fight this as far as I can, I invite you to drive by the water plant and orange water tower to see this travesty. If you share the same concerns and questions as me, please contact the Mayor and aldermen and express your concerns to them.
City policies and decisions need to be more transparent and respectful of the citizens who they serve. Will the City install a wind turbine, recycling center, or something else close to you without your knowledge? Can this happen to you? Hmm, do you wonder?
George Link
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