DAMASCUS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Damascus Township Board of Supervisors outlined a set of conditions for a solar project off Route 371 during a meeting on Monday, February 16. They approved the project’s conditional use permit at that hearing.

The hearing for this project, which is known as Ragapple LLC or Solar Renewable Energy LLC, was held back on September 15, 2025. For more, see riverreporter.com/stories/solar,220562.

The proposed conditions were updated based on comments from Jeffrey Treat, town solicitor, and Ed Lagarenne, zoning officer and code enforcement officer.

A decommissioning plan will be provided, along with a cost estimate for the decommissioning. The developers will need to provide a bond or letter of credit for the amount of decommissioning of the site once project is completed. The amount will be reviewed in three years. Subsequent owners, if any, will provide the same.

The decommissioning plan and financial commitment ensures that the township and taxpayers will not need to pay for any cleanup, removal of panels and land restoration after the finish of the project.

Fence and perimeter

Ragapple indicated a willingness to construct an eight-foot electric chain link fence or anything comparable the township prefers. The ordinance simply calls for a “security fence.”

The land development plan will be submitted once completed. Vegetative screening will be planted around the fence. It was noted that the eastern side is already screened and Ragapple is willing to have the rest of the planting done.

The utility will be the owner of the transformer at the site. Switch-gear and other needed machinery will be inside the fence with the solar panels.

The developer will provide screening around the perimeter of the project within six months of completion of the fence, or the power will be turned off.

The developer will conform to any state regulations and any Damascus ordinances. The developer will provide notification of any material changes to or expansion of the project. The developer will notify the township of any change of ownership.

Any use other than specified will result in revocation of the conditional use permit.

Any conditional use approved by the board will be applicable for one year and extended for one further year. Time limits could be extended by the Damascus Township Board of Supervisors.

Editor's note: This article initially misstated the location of the Solar Renewable Energy LLC project. This has been corrected as of 3:30 on Monday, March 30.