A petition article submitted for Spring Town Meeting will ask Mashpee voters to consider whether to allow a solar overlay district that would encompass about 40 acres of land south of Route 151. The planning board voted unanimously during its virtual meeting on Wednesday, February 17, to hold a public hearing on the petition article on March 17 at 7:10 PM. The lead petitioner on the article, William Haney, is the owner of the approximately 40 acres of land off Route 151 where the solar overlay district would be established if approved by Town Meeting. Should Town Meeting approve the petition article, Mr. Haney could seek a special permit from the planning board to construct a medium- or large-scale solar energy system on the property. The ground-mounted solar system would have to abide by setbacks, include fencing and security, and meet other requirements laid out in the 17-page article by petition.