NORTHFIELD — In response to concerns aired at May’s public hearing for a second proposed BlueWave Solar project on Pine Meadow Road, the company presented revised plans Tuesday evening, although concerns from residents and the abutting family remained the same.

BlueWave, which gained approval in 2021 to construct a three-array, 26,000-panel, 10.9-megawatt project on the same road, is proposing the creation of another array on land owned by residents Thomas and Patricia Shearer, which would also allow for vegetable and hay production as well as animal grazing under the stewardship of Northfield-based Finicky Farm.

The solar company presented its revised plans Tuesday, which saw the array moved west and set back farther from both Pine Meadow Road and the 200-foot Connecticut River setback, resulting in a total fenced-in area of 16 acres compared to the previous 25 acres.

“We did make a number of revisions to the design based on the comments we received from the boards and the neighbors,” said Rich Riccio, an engineer from Field Engineering Co. “The distance away from the property line pushes everything 150 feet, roughly, farther away from the road and the neighbors. That, in conjunction with the plantings, will minimize the visual impact.”

The proposed solar modules have also been reduced from 580 watts to 530 watts and the total number of modules is now 4,316, resulting in a smaller system.

Additionally, the spacing between rows — originally 70 feet in between clusters — has been reduced to 18 feet. BlueWave’s legal counsel is also in talks with FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.’s legal team regarding flowage rights in the area of the project.

While the revisions presented new details, the Planning Board still had lingering concerns, including how resilient the project would be to flooding and the number and placement of utility poles.

BlueWave representatives said ground disturbance on the site will be minimal and there will “already be an established pasture when construction starts,” according to Gabrielle Hayes, who is BlueWave’s sustainable solar development associate.

Planning Board member Victoria Luksha also asked if the company had received safety approval from Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III.

“This is an area that will flood either by FirstLight or by the river,” Luksha said. Riccio replied that the layout of this array is similar to the others, to which she said it is a “much more challenging location.”

Board members also asked several questions regarding the farming practices of the project, prompting direct abutters John and Jennifer Buxton during the public comment period to implore the Planning Board to remember that at the end of the day, this is a solar project application, not a farm application.

John Buxton pointed to statements in the town’s bylaws intended to “minimize impacts on scenic, natural and historic resources, as well as the master plan’s statement that the town should “preserve views, open fields and rural character.”

“It’s a residential/agricultural neighborhood. The application put forward is for neither a house nor a farm,” John said. “My wife and I would never have bought the house if we thought there would be an energy plant next door.

“Do you guys think that alters the character of the neighborhood?” he added, holding up photos of the site at sunset. “I’m sort of just imploring the Planning Board to get back to answering those questions.”

Pine Meadow Road resident Stacy Bond also submitted a comment showing her support for the Buxtons, as well as raising concern about what the area could become if more solar arrays continue to be brought forward.

“I did not argue against the first 100 acres that will now become industrial solar, but now with this added 30 acres, I am concerned, where will we draw the line?” Bond said. “This will impact the value of my home and all those around me. That should not be insignificant. Are we to now be surrounded by industrial energy facilities? We should be focusing on arrays over parking lots, roads, rooftops and brownfields.”

To allow BlueWave time to answer questions, and for members to digest the new information presented, the Planning Board voted to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.