HADLEY — An Amherst solar developer and a Hadley farmer could team up on a new agrivoltaic project on farmland on River Drive, continuing what they see as the success of an existing dual-use solar array on Shattuck Road.
Jake Marley, manager of Hyperion Systems LLC, told the Planning Board Tuesday that he is eyeing a parcel at 415 River Drive for a project that would include 1,248 panels, each 545-watt modules, that would produce 680 kilowatts of direct current energy.
Marley is again working with Joe Czajkowski, whose Czajkowski Farm for the past few years has been harvesting crops below solar panels on 2.2 acres.
“It’s been very nice,” Czajkowski said. “The crops are wonderful under the solar panels, they get enough sun with the tracking to produce a crop that’s as good as outside the panels.”
Broccoli did well in both 2023 and 2024, and this year sweet corn and cilantro are growing below the panels. The panels are able to move and track along, on a single axis, with the sun, so that the crops get plenty of sunshine and shade. There is also sufficient room for Czajkowski to maneuver equipment, when necessary, to do tilling, harrowing, cultivating and spraying.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts remain interested in this way of using farmland to also produce renewable energy, Marley said.
Marley said plans are being finalized by the Berkshire Design Group before the Zoning Board of Appeals is asked to allow for a reduction to 15 feet from the 50-foot side setbacks from neighboring properties.
Planners suggested that an L-shaped screen shield the site from the road and protect drivers from any glare, though Czajkowski said these restrictions would complicate his ability to cultivate the crops.
Planning Board Chairman James Maksimoski said he might not want screening, because glare isn’t a major problem, and that having the site open would help advertise that crops are growing underneath these solar panels.
“I think it’s worthwhile for the Valley to show that this is an available alternative for panels,” Maksimoski said.
Meanwhile, the board also continued a discussion about The Residences Extended Stay, the conversion of the Howard Johnson hotel at 401 Russell St.
Amherst developer Barry Roberts is expected to request a finding from the Zoning Board of Appeals that this is a preexisting, nonconforming use of the property.
Board member Joseph Zgrodnik said Hadley has no definition of an extended stay in its bylaws and is concerned about when people living there would be considered apartment tenants, when apartments are not allowed in town.
“I think we have to define from our own perspective, as well as utilizing the capabilities of the fire chief and stuff like that, to come up with a definition rather than kick the can down the road and say you’re looking for a finding,” Zgdronik said.
Tom Reidy, the attorney representing Roberts, said an extended stay means more than a month. “For us, it’s more than 30 days,” Reidy said.
Reidy said the key to not being an apartment is not being an independent living facility. “They’re meant for more temporary housing,” Reidy said.
He added that a deed restriction in the sale from Hampshire Hospitality Group requires that anyone who stays there has to be on site for at least 30 days. Reidy said it is likely to be an alternative for people who are coming to the area for less than a year.
Maksimoki said the state fire code similarly defines extended stays as more than 30 days and requires sprinklers in those living spaces. Only the rooms in the early 2000s addition are sprinklered, but Roberts has said that he will add sprinklers to the 1960s portion of the property.
The lodging doesn’t reach the level of permanent residences because there is no laundry or cooking hookups, according to building commissioner Kyle Scott.
Reidy said there have been few changes in operations, aside from cutting ties to Howard Johnson. The hotel still has weekly room cleaning and daily breakfast
In other business, planners approved new signs for the Wal-Mart store at Mountain Farms Mall, and noted that the ongoing widening of Route 9 and improvements on South Maple Street has led to the north entrance and exit to Hampshire Mall being moved more than 100 feet to the south. This means that entrance and exit is no longer directly across from one of the entrances and exits to Mountain Farms Mall. The south entrances and exits from both properties, though, currently remain in alignment.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
