Peekskill planners continue public hearing on proposed floating solar at Campfield Reservoir amid operational concerns

A public hearing on a proposal to install a floating solar array on Campfield Reservoir was continued after the Peekskill Planning Commission and independent reviewers identified operational and contingency questions that need more answers.

Matt Jonken of Arcadis, the commission's independent reviewer, told the board the technical materials show low chemical leaching potential from panels but raised operational issues the city will have to manage. “When the system is operating as intended … there is really very limited opportunity for any sort of potential contaminant release from the floats or the panels themselves,” Jonken said, while noting other impacts are more likely: construction turbidity, changes in dissolved oxygen and algae-control challenges.

Water and Sewer Superintendent David Rambo said the system has redundancy and modern filtration but noted local infrastructure gaps that must be addressed. “We have no way of shutting water off to the big reservoir right now. The valve is just stuck shut or stuck open,” Rambo said, describing valves and piping that would require repair or replacement to provide an operational bypass in a contingency.

Residents asked the commission not to proceed until their technical questions are resolved. Elena Muniz Walker, who identified herself as living on Mallard Way, said her group has collected a petition of close to 600 people and urged careful weighing of risks for the city’s drinking water supply.

The developer and project representatives outlined financing and local benefits, including grant funding and a nonprofit ownership structure aimed at passing revenue back to Peekskill (the applicant said it has secured about $1.4 million from energy and public partners). Commissioners pressed for specific mitigation measures, insurance or bonding to cover worst‑case cleanup and for estimates of the cost to make necessary valve and piping upgrades so the reservoir system can be isolated if needed.

After extended deliberation and follow‑up requests for the Department of Health materials, contingency plans and infrastructure costing, the Planning Commission voted to continue the public hearing to the August meeting to allow Arcadis and city departments to review new materials and return with written responses and cost estimates.

The hearing will resume once the commission has had time to evaluate the outstanding technical material and the city has firm estimates for any infrastructure work needed to make the project operationally acceptable.