Southtowns Record

February 10, 2026 Minutes

Government
Town of Wales
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Budget and taxes, Zoning and land use, Energy and data center siting, Moratoriums, Short-term rentals, Public safety, Roads and traffic

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 2 of 5

SEQR NEGATIVE DECLARATION
BIG TREE SOLAR PROJECT

WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of Wales (“Town Board”) received an application
from NED- New Energy Solar 10 LLC (the “Applicant”) to construct an approximately 2.7
(AC)-megawatt solar energy facility (the “Proposed Action”) at 13748 Big Tree Road; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the Proposed Action is subject to the
State Environmental Quality Review Act under the N.Y.S. Environmental Conservation
Law, Article 8 (“SEQRA”), classified the Proposed Action as a Type 1 action under
SEQRA, declared its intention to act as Lead Agency for the purpose of reviewing the
environmental impacts of the Proposed Action under SEQRA and conducted a coordinated
review; and

WHEREAS, the Wales Town Board has reviewed the application materials and project at
several meetings, received comments and recommendations from the Town Planning Board
and Town Conservation Advisory Board, and received input from Erie County (including
completing the required Section 239 referral), other agencies and the Town Consultant;
and

WHEREAS the Wales Town Board received input from the public throughout the process
and held a public hearing on October 14, 2025, and subsequently closed this hearing; and

WHEREAS the Wales Town Board in accordance with the New York State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA), having conducted a coordinated review, reviewed Part 1 of
the FEAF and completed Parts 2 and 3 of the FEAF and discussed them over several
meetings, and has done a thorough review of the project and its potential impacts; and

WHEREAS, the Wales Town Board, in accordance with SEQRA, has determined that the
proposed approval and construction of an approximate 2.7 (AC) MW solar energy system
at this location will not adversely affect the natural resources of the State and/or the health,
safety and welfare of the public and is consistent with social and economic considerations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wales Town Board, through the
coordinated review process which established the Town Board as SEQR Lead Agency,
hereby determines that the proposed approval and construction of an approximate 2.7
(AC) MW solar energy project at this location is not anticipated to result in any significant
adverse environmental impact and that a Negative Declaration is hereby issued and that
the Town of Wales Supervisor is authorized to sign the EAF (and its attachments), which
will act as the SEQR Negative Declaration.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION:
  • Supervisor Howard – Yes
  • Councilman Butcher – Yes
  • Councilwoman O’Connor – Yes
  • Councilman Newman – Yes
  • Councilman Gallo – Yes
MOTION # __ Carried ayes-5 nays-0. Negative Declaration Resolution adopted.
The Town Engineer, Robert Klavoon noted that a draft Special Use Permit (SUP) with conditions
will be prepared for consideration at the March meeting, after remaining outside approvals are
obtained. Once the SUP is approved, administration and enforcement will be handled by the
Building Inspector.