In preparation of City Council consideration of a solar ordinance for a second time, City Principal Planner Lucas Murray of his own doing and expense invited council members and those voicing concerns over the ordinance to coffee and donuts at the city’s newest solar array on a 2.2-acre parcel in East Natick on Saturday morning

While attendance was disappointing, the questions and explanations weren’t lagging.

One of the most vocal critics of the ordinance and its provision for an overlay district in residential zones, giving the council the ability of seeking direct benefits from a developer such donation of the land to the city after 35 years, Jane Kenney Austin was in attendance.

Also present in addition to Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix and Ward 9 Councilman Vincent Gebhart was Philip D’Ercole, coordinator of Friends of Warwick Ponds who has actively questioned the ordinance, focusing on provisions for the preservation of trees and the environment.

D’Ercole lauded Murray for staging the event, saying this is exactly what should be done when considering regulations and developments.

Kevin Rossi, whose family has owned the land for about 100 years said he turned to a solar development as it will generate income enabling the family to keep the land. The land is zoned for commercial use, but approvals to build the 950-kilowatt array took nearly four years.

Requirements for final approval included among other things fencing, height of solar panels, controls on the use of herbicides and plantings to shield the array from neighbors.

Murray said had the proposed ordinance been in place the approval process would have been faster but there would have also been means for the city to garner benefits. The informal meeting lasted about 90 minutes.

Ironically, while the meeting was a good primer to Monday’s Council meeting, City Council President Stephen McAllister sent out a blast email Sunday saying consideration of the ordinance would be tabled. Among the reasons cited for the action were questions swirling over the ordinance and to give newly appointed City Planner Tom Kravitz the opportunity to review the measure.

GOING OVER PROVISIONS: Principal Planner Lucas Murray, right, talks with city officials and interested parties who joined him Saturday to look at the city’s newest solar array in East Natick. (Warwick Beacon photos)