"“They wanted $1.2 million to replace the glass section with polycarbonate"
US (SD): Greenhouse plans shelved due to glass glare
“I wanted to be the first to let you know, instead of going through some rumor-mongering,” he stated. “The reason I’ve decided to pull the plug on (the greenhouse) was to avoid a lawsuit I would certainly get into and that Yankton County would have gotten drug into.”
In January, Golden said he became concerned about the potential glare the glass greenhouse would cause for homes in the area. The development would have been on the southwest corner of the Highway 52 and Timberland Drive intersection.
He did an experiment where he replicated the glare that would be caused and watched it from the nearby ridge above the property.
“We’ve all pulled up behind a car before when the sun hits the glass just right and it blinds you. Well, I had an epiphany moment back in January,” Golden said. “We know how sensitive people are just by having a flashing sign out on (Highway 52) or having lights turned up at just the right angle. Can you imagine what that whole 600- by 450-foot solid glass building would look like?”
Golden became convinced that he, and possibly the county, could have faced a lawsuit from area residents if the project were to move forward.
“They wanted $1.2 million to replace the glass section with polycarbonate, which still gives a certain amount of glare but not like glass,” he added.
“I invested a lot of time and money into the project but at the end of the day, we’re certainly not going to put lots and lots more money into a deal and then have it pulled with a cease-and-desist order,” Golden continued.
He said the unassembled greenhouse has already been sold to a buyer in New Jersey.
In March 2009, the County Commission rezoned 36 acres from rural-transitional to a planned unit development to make way for the construction of the greenhouse and fish production facility. It was also to include a worm farm, an aquatic culture area, a shop/office area, a retail center and possibly a restaurant.
At the time, Golden projected it could take five years to complete. During last week’s commission meeting, he said other projects had delayed progress on Heartland Harvest Farms.
Golden told the commission that he believes the property may now be of interest to Yankton County.
“That property is probably the best property in the area if you guys were ever going to move forward and think about putting any kind of sewage lagoons or treatment facility there,” he said. “I’m probably going to put the building up for sale in May or so, but I wanted to throw that thought out to you guys ... I think that’s potentially an option you might want to consider. If you have any interest, we can certainly talk later.”
Source: yankton.net
