Solar Farm Proposed for Brickyard School Site
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff have purposed the construction of a large solar farm on the Brickyard school site. Over 7000 solar panels covering most of the 20 acre school site would be installed. These acres of solar panels would be very visible to the adjoining homeowners and traffic along Brickyard Road.
The Brickyard Coalition opposes the solar farm project as purposed by MCPS. The current zoning of the Brickyard school site does not permit the construction of a solar farm. You can add solar panels to your roof but you can not build a solar farm. MC Board of Education unanimously passed a Policy regarding management of BOE property that states "The interim use of undeveloped property should be consistent with its zoning classification and applicable laws". Thus, the fact that MCPS staff is even purposing a project which would violate this BOE policy is very troublesome.
- Information suggests the value of homes adjoining the solar project would decrease in value by up to 10 per cent.
- No buffering or landscaping is being purposed to shield the view of the solar farm.
- Glare from the south facing panels would impact adjoining homes and traffic on Brickyard Road.
- Solar farms make noise. The solar equipment produces an audible hum or whirr which could be heard by adjoining homeowners.
Public Meeting November 17
For more information or to voice your opposition to this proposal, please attend the upcoming MCPS
Community Information Meeting:
Seven Lochs Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
9500 Seven Lochs Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 PM
The Board of Education will need to vote to approve the solar farm project if recommended to them by MCPS.
Sincerely,
Brickyard Coalition
Brickyard Coalition Inc.
This message has been authorized and paid for by the Brickyard Coalition Inc., PO Box 60962, Potomac, MD 20859, Keith Williams, Treasurer. This message has not been authorized or approved by any candidate.
