Coolspring supervisors to hear from public on proposed solar farm

Editor's note: The original story listed the entire size of the property parcel; it has been updated to reflect the actual size of the project.

People living in Mercer County’s Coolspring Township have a chance to weigh in on plans to build an 18-to-20-acre solar energy facility in the township.

The Coolspring Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Coolspring Township municipal building to discuss a conditional use application sought by Sunrise Babcock Road LLC.

Supervisors will accept public comment, review the recommendations of the Planning Commission, and receive testimony on the proposed energy-generating facility on farmland off Babcock and Airport roads.

Some neighbors have expressed concern that the solar panels will be too close to their homes, causing glare.

The property owner where the facility is looking to build, Judy King, told 21 News that the current plan "meets or exceeds all current ordinances" for the township and that the panels will be tracking panels that will move following the sunlight.

In May, a petition signed by 600 people from the community was presented to supervisors, asking for all solar panels to be at least 500 feet away from homes.

The township hall is located at 852 N. Perry Highway Mercer.