The Independent: Solar project at Cottrell Homestead approved

By Colin Howarth Staff Writer | Jun 30, 2018

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Cottrell Homestead, 500 Waites Corner Road, West Kingston, received approval from the Planning Board Tuesday to develop a 250-kilowatt solar energy system spanning approximately 28,206 square feet, or roughly two-thirds of an acre.

The ground-mounted solar panels will be located along the parcel's northern frontage on Waites Corner Road, which was rezoned from Open Space to R200 by the Town Council in 2017. Three above-ground poles will be erected, along with underground electrical lines along Kingstown Road.

“We have done due diligence,” Planning Board member Steve DiMasi said. “The Cottrell family was held up for a very long period until we finalized our solar ordinance.”

Cottrell Homestead, a farm listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been in the same family for 118 years. In 2016, the town decided to create a solar ordinance when considering a zoning exemption sought by the farm for the solar installation. Earlier this year, it was announced that the farm would be discontinuing its dairy operation and looking to find new homes for its cows.

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