WHEATFIELD — The Wheatfield Planning Board took a look at proposals for a new solar farm and cannabis-growing facility this week.
Rochester-based Entose LLC is proposing a solar facility for 49.3 acres of vacant farmland on the north side of Lockport Road, currently owned by Calvin Pfhol. This could be the third such Wheatfield solar facility set up on that road, with the 6.3 MW LR Wheatfield Solar 1 starting operations in November 2020 at 2469 Lockport Road and the 4 MW CVE US Ei3 facility starting in December 2023 at 3635 Lockport Road.
Board Chair Susan Agnello-Eberwein said Wednesday the developer did not provide details on whether it would be a Tier 3 or Tier 4 system or how many panels it would have. She is certain the power it would generate would be used locally, otherwise they would not approve it.
“Right now, they just come to us and give us direction for what we need to do,” Angello-Eberwein said.
The cannabis proposal would be sited in an empty building at 6115 Lendell Drive, located behind the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co. The two-acre site would be strictly for growing cannabis crops, with plans to hire between 16 and 20 people.
Architect Tommaso Briatico spoke about the facility on behalf of the developer. It would be the first such growing space in Wheatfield, with the town home to one dispensary, Love Nug on Niagara Falls Boulevard.
The planners did raise concerns with its location near the fire hall, but were assured it would be far enough away.
Planners did not get information on how long it would operate during the day and suggested that Briatico come back with the developer at a future meeting.
Both of the projects require the planning board to approve special use permits, which would require public hearings for each.