A proposed solar installation near Snipatuit Road will have to wait until the next Planning Board meeting for approval.

The solar array, proposed by the Melink Corporation, still needs approval from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program for a parcel of land to be donated to the town for recreational use.

The project would be located on a 116-acre parcel of land, with the solar farm situated on 16 acres. Of those 16 acres, the arrays would be located on 8 acres. One hundred acres would be offered to the town as open space.

The board was unwilling to grant the special permits for installation of the large-scale solar project and for construction in the groundwater protection district until Natural Heritage approved the town’s use of the land, which is designated as a Natural Heritage area.

Chair Arnie Johnson said the board has granted permits twice before without having the Natural Heritage permitting.

“We’ve been burned two times before,” he said. “I just think it sets a bad precedent if we move forward.”

Evan Watson of Prime Engineering represented the project and requested the Planning Board permitting be given on the condition that the Natural Heritage portion goes through. Prime Engineering is trying to secure the Planning Board applications so that the project can be submitted to the state. The proposed solar array is currently in line for a limited number of energy credits from the state. Watson said a complete package was needed as soon as possible to help secure those credits.

“As far as I know, it’s ninety percent there,” Watson said of the Natural Heritage approval. “With everyone going for the same credits, we would like to get this as soon as possible.”

Town Counsel Blair Bailey said the Natural Heritage permit has one issue outstanding – specification on the 100-acre parcel on the property being donated to the town. Bailey said the town wants to ensure the language on the deed is correct, and that Natural Heritage allows the town passive recreational use of the land.

“I just want to see it in black and white,” he said.

Resident John Hall said even with the Natural Heritage approval, the town should not accept the land without Town Meeting approval as the addition of 100 acres means money for maintenance and upkeep.

“Our precedent has always been, when people offer land, we vote on it at Town Meeting,” he said.

Hall was told that Selectmen are permitted to accept the property, and that he would need to take that issue up with them.

Although the Planning Board was not inclined to approve the remaining permits on Tuesday, the members did add some conditions to the project.

Johnson said the equipment used on the site should use eco-friendly oils in case of an oil spill since the site is in the groundwater protection district.

“It’s not uncommon to blow a hose,” he said. “If you can’t do it, you’re going to come back to us.”

At the fire chief’s request, Johnson also said all of the roads into the project need to be plowed and maintained.

Bailey said the Natural Heritage aspect of the process should be complete by the board’s next meeting in March 8.

Said Johnson: “The economics of an applicants project are really no concern of the town. I think in this case, this particular project, we’ve moved pretty readily along from the day it was filed.”