June 23, 2026 – Town of Trenton, Wi – More than 50 residents attended a public hearing Monday evening as neighbors from the Prairie Meadow subdivision in West Bend voiced concerns regarding a proposed 25-acre solar facility on land owned by Dennis and Lynn Schloemer at 5510 River Road in the Town of Trenton.
The project would place a 5-megawatt solar array on approximately 25.18 acres of the Schloemer property, which has been in the family for roughly 140 years.
Residents repeatedly raised concerns about noise, safety, screening, construction traffic, wildlife impacts, emergency response capabilities, property values and the proximity of the project to homes and a public park.
Brandon Schneider, who lives on Cloverview Street, said the project would dramatically affect neighboring homeowners.
“The entire north side of our property points towards this industrial solar project. If approved, this will have significant impact on our quality of life and prevent us from enjoying our new home,” he said.
Schneider challenged the application’s assertion that existing vegetation provides adequate screening.
“This application states that the current tree line is sufficient. This is blatantly incorrect,” he said, adding the site is visible from his home, yard and nearby park.
With a baby on the way, Schneider said he and his wife would not have purchased the property had they known about the proposal.
“I’m concerned that if this project is approved, we’ll be forced to leave our property in order to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our child.”
David Lake read a statement from Town of Trenton resident opposing solar development and also shared his own concerns.
“Twenty-five to 40 years is a long time to lock into something like this,” he said. “I’m not against solar necessarily. It’s a good purpose use for certain things. I’m not sure about living next to it.”
Joseph Tracy, who lives across from the proposed development, said he supports clean energy but questioned the placement of electrical equipment.
“I understand the importance of clean energy and responsible development,” he said. “However, I believe there are several areas where this project should improve to better protect the health, safety, welfare and property rights of the surrounding neighborhood.”
Tracy asked the town to require greater setbacks, additional screening and a site-specific emergency response plan before any approval is granted.
Craig Martin, who lives directly south of the Schloemer farm, expressed concern about drainage, construction traffic and emergency response times.
“I don’t think that’s been addressed up to this point,” he said regarding drainage concerns.
Martin also questioned whether volunteer firefighters could respond quickly enough in the event of an emergency.
Rebecca Richardson, a registered nurse and mother of four, said the proposal raises concerns for families who frequently use the nearby park and wooded areas. Richardson also cited concerns about months of construction activity.
“The noise, the dust caused by the constant flow of heavy equipment and utility vehicles in and out of the site,” would directly affect neighboring residents, she said.
Elizabeth Sterman said she purchased her home because of the open view and proximity to the park.
“My biggest concerns about this solar field definitely is the fire,” she said, noting proposed transformers would be located near her property.
Christine Aldridge said she and her husband do not oppose solar energy itself.
“We don’t object to solar. We just object to how this project is being implemented,” she said.
Aldridge asked officials to consider moving the construction access road farther from homes and to evaluate wildlife impacts.
Sharon Martin, who has known Dennis and Lynn Schloemer for years, said residents were surprised to learn of the proposal.
“We’ve known Dennis and Lynn for quite a long time and we just recently heard that there’s a possibility of this solar farm,” she said.
Martin urged officials to consider the project’s proximity to residential neighborhoods and nearby parkland.
Town of Trenton resident Mary May also spoke in opposition, encouraging officials to preserve farmland.
“Keep it away from residents. Keep it off this farmland,” she said. “We just keep seeing the farmland get chewed up left and right, and it breaks my heart.”
West Bend Alderman Matt Sternig, whose district includes Prairie Meadow, addressed the commission but did not advocate for or against the project.
“I’m not going to ask you to vote one way or the other,” Sternig said. “I’m going to ask that you thoughtfully consider those comments that have been made.”
Plan Commission discussion
Following the public hearing, commissioners and staff spent more than an hour discussing issues raised by residents and reviewing details of the proposal.
Among the topics discussed:
- Concerns regarding construction access from River Road and whether alternative access routes could be explored.
- Possible relocation of transformers and inverter equipment farther from neighboring homes.
- Additional landscape screening and tree planting along the subdivision boundary.
- Emergency response planning and consultation with the Newburg Fire Department.
- Noise generated by inverters and transformers and whether a formal sound study should be required.
- Clarification that the proposed project does not include battery storage, despite repeated public references to batteries.
- Stormwater management review and coordination with Washington County.
- Bonding and financial security requirements for eventual decommissioning of the solar facility.
- Ensuring the conditional use permit remains tied to the property through future ownership changes.
- Questions regarding maintenance traffic, fencing, herbicide use and wildlife impacts.
- Discussion about how future large-scale solar proposals should be handled elsewhere in the Town of Trenton.
Commission Chair Mike Lipscomb said he would like additional information before moving forward, particularly regarding fire protection, equipment placement and sound impacts.
Commissioners also discussed the possibility of requiring a sound study measuring ambient noise levels and projected noise at various distances from neighboring homes.
Decision postponed
Rather than taking action Monday night, the Plan Commission agreed more information is needed before making a recommendation to the Town Board.
The commission voted to postpone a decision and continue its review of the proposal until August 2026, allowing time to gather additional information, consult with emergency services officials, review potential site modifications and address concerns raised during the public hearing.
The proposal will return to the Town of Trenton Plan Commission later this summer for further consideration.