A proposed solar project in the town of Pomfret has been approved for tax exemptions.

During the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency meeting, board members unanimously approved resolutions for a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement for Pomfret III PV, LLC.

The 1.4 megawatt solar project will be located at 4825 Webster Road on about 12 acres of land. The parcel size is about 63.5 acres.

The Pomfret Town Board previously approved a special use permit for the project.

A public hearing for the PILOT took place in early May, with no members of public speaking or submitting comments.

Jon Rappe and Jeremy Kauffman, both with RIC Energy Development attended the meeting virtually but did not speak.

Last month, Kauffman said where the solar project would be placed, it would not be visible by anyone not on the property.

“You’re unable to see this project from any point of view due to how far back it is placed within the parcel, as well as the dense surrounding screening to the east, south and west, in addition to the vegetative screening that we’re going to add,” he said.

Kauffman said at the April IDA meeting the property is not actively farmed.

They have been working on this project for many years. Back in 2021 they signed a land option and in 2023 secured an interconnection agreement with National Grid.

The project is valued at $3 million.

This is the fourth project that RIC Energy Development has been involved with. Two others are located in the town of Hanover and the other one is in the town of Pomfret.