CANFIELD – While conducting research on the effects of large solar power-generating farms on areas where they’re built, Linda Kuzior framed her argument regarding one being proposed in her neighborhood on what she felt were three important pillars: Will such a project add value, need and benefit to the community?

Her answer to all three was “no.”

“The impacts will not only be on me, but a lot in the community,” Kuzior said before an informational meeting Sunday at Angels for Animals Inc., 4750 state Route 165, on the topic. Several dozen residents attended the session.

Kuzior was referring to the possibility that a German company called Alpin Sun could install the $150 million project on several hundred acres of farmland across the street from where she lives in Green Township.

The property is mostly east of state Route 46, with a small piece of it west of the thoroughfare, and is bordered mostly by Calla Road to the south and Detwiler Road to the east.

For several years, the landowners, Wayne and Sara Greier, who live on nearby Washingtonville Road, have been in discussions with Alpin Sun to have the company lease about 675 acres of their property to build the solar-powered facility.

While speaking at the first hearing on the matter, Wayne Greier recalled spending nearly three months in the hospital after having contracted COVID-19, and discussed health problems he’s experienced because of it. Greier also outlined how he and his wife pondered selling the family farm because of financial issues related to his illness.

Nevertheless, Kuzior, who has lived in the township about 25 years and said she had conducted extensive research on solar power-generating farms, added she is against the project largely because it will negatively alter her view of the area and create noise from inverters near the panels. Kuzior also worries about firefighters’ safety in the event of a large fire at the site, along with the short- and long-term possible environmental impacts that include bird migratory patterns being disrupted, or birds striking the panels, she noted. She also feels Northeast Ohio isn’t the ideal location for such a project because of the number of partly to mostly cloudy days the region experiences annually.

In addition, Kuzior is concerned the project could adversely affect property values in the area, though she was quick to stress that her main concerns lie in the bigger impact picture.

Kuzior also has discovered that many people she’s spoken to are unaware of the proposed project, she said.

“We’re just trying to make sure people who are interested learn what is going on,” Kuzior continued.

She also cited Ohio Senate Bill 52, which was approved two years ago and states counties can designate areas where solar and wind development are restricted, prohibit such an individual facility or limit its size.

According to an Alpin Sun information sheet, the project in Green and neighboring Beaver townships, named Matador Solar, would generate about 150 new jobs during construction, as well as up to 150 megawatts of electricity.

The company correspondence also states that the installation would include “buffer zones of green space, and planting trees and other vegetation between the solar panels and public view where needed for screening, and provide habitat for local wildlife.”

“We strongly believe this area is suitable for a solar project, and we are interested in developing it,” the company said in a letter to Mahoning County commissioners last month.

The commissioners have scheduled the next public hearing on the project for 6 p.m., Oct. 30. at Greenford Christian Church, 11767 Lisbon Road in Greenford, to gather residents’ and others’ input.

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