KNOLLWOOD COUNTRY CLUB SEEKS TO CONSTRUCT A MEGAWATT BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
SITE VISIT SATURDAY DECEMBER 5 AT 11 AM
CLUB CLAIMS THAT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL REVENUE THEY MAY BE FORCED TO SELL, LIKELY TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPER
An Applicant (Eagle Energy Storage, LLC) seeks to construct a 20 MegaWatt Battery Energy Storage System and related infrastructure on a portion of Knollwood Country Club (see image below). The energy storage system, which would be located within a fenced in and unused portion of the Golf Club would connect via a combination of underground and overhead conduits to the Con Edison substation along Rt. 119 in the Village of Elmsford. The project requires special permit (public utility structure) and amended site plan approval from the Town Board. Additional land use approvals in the Town of Greenburgh include a Planning Board steep slope permit, and wetland/watercourse permit. The project also spans into the Village of Elmsford. Village approvals and New York State Department of Transportation approvals (trenching underneath I-287) are also required. In evaluating the Special Permit, the Town Board will review impacts to the neighborhood (sound, visual, environmental, etc.). The applicant has been encouraged to reach out to local civic associations to make them aware of the proposal. This mailing is sent as additional outreach, so that those in the community who reside within close proximity to the project are aware.
The Applicant will be holding an on-site visit Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 11:00am. All persons interested in the subject of the hearing are invited to attend and should parking in the main golf course parking lot off of Knollwood Road. If attending, please wear a mask and abide by social distancing measures. I will be in attendance at this visit as will Town staff.
A Town Board Public Hearing via Zoom video conferencing will occur on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 7:30 P.M. This hearing will be cablecast on Cable Access TV and streamed on the Town’s Website. Anyone interested in speaking at this hearing via Zoom should email PublicHearing@GreenburghNY.com.
At a prior hearing the Applicant presented the project, which can be seen at the following link: https://greenburghny.new.swagit.com/videos/107622 All application materials are available for download on the Town website under the Community Development Department page, “active Town Board applications” tab.
At a prior meeting, a member of the Country Club, and who is also a resident of the Town, spoke to the importance of the project, in terms of giving the Club the best opportunity to be able to remain a club. It was noted that without the project, the Club could be faced with having to sell, likely to a residential developer. In the Town of Greenburgh, and regionally, golf courses have been hit especially hard by declining memberships and by the pandemic. Elmwood Country Club closed in 2017 and is presently the subject of a residential project redevelopment proposal before the Town Board. Metropolis Country Club on Dobbs Ferry Road recently partnered with a senior housing developer, in an effort to give itself the best opportunity to be able to remain a club.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing, questions or comments can be sent to planning@greenburghny.com
PAUL FEINER
