by Lynne Jackson – October 2025 Newsletter

Recently, Save the Pine Bush volunteers have been attending many public hearings, most for proposed developments in the Pine Bush, and a few for the Guilderland Comprehensive Plan.

In Colonie, there have been several proposals to build warehouses on small parcels of land. Individually, these warehouse proposals seem small and insignificant. But, taken all together, these proposals destroy Pine Bush and fragment the ecosystem.

The most significant development proposal in the Town of Colonie is the proposed Lisha Solar Farm on 2772 and 2792 Curry Road. This 75-acre parcel, owned by the estate of Gerry Phibbs, is one of the largest remaining privately-owned parcels in the Pine Bush ecosystem.

Save the Pine Bush is a supporter of renewable energy generation such as solar farms. Howeever, we do not believe that solar farms should be built in rare ecosystems such as the Pine Bush.

The recent public hearings specifically deal with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process. The hearing has been held open to Tuesday, October 21. People may submit comments up until that time and/or attend the public hearing that evening at 6:00 at the Town of Colonie Public Operations Center, 347 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham.

Save the Pine Bush volunteers have been attending the last several public hearings held by the Guilderland Town Board on the Guilderland Comprehensive Plan. The Town Board will continue to take comments until October 21. Because of our advocacy, the Town has created an entire section on the Pine Bush in the Comprehensive Plan. We are hoping the Town will still adopt preserving all of the remaining privately owned Pine Bush ecosystem in Guilderland. The Town Board will continue to take comments until October 21.