Some types of residential arrays are prohibited by new
legislation
A new solar energy law adopted by the Town Board sets limits
on where large solar energy arrays can be built, while also setting standards
for residential roof-mounted arrays.
Large commercial solar energy arrays — often called
"solar farms" — would be kept out of residential zones but would
be allowed in "highway commercial," "research and
technology," "riverfront recreation/commercial" and
"airport" zoning districts. Small-scale, ground-mounted panel arrays
would also be allowed in those zones, but not in residential areas.
Each project will require a special permit from the town,
with review when appropriate by the town Planning and Zoning Commission. Under
the law, solar farm arrays could cover no more than 25 percent of the property
on which they are built.
The law allows rooftop residential arrays, though
ground-mounted systems in residential backyards are prohibited.
Visible ground-mounted solar panels in residential yards have led to
neighbor opposition in other local communities.
The new law is the town's first effort to regulate a
renewable energy option that has grown in popularity in recent years, as
prices for photovoltaic systems have fallen. There are a number of rooftop
solar arrays already installed on residential and commercial buildings in town,
but until now, there have been no specific standards for such systems. They
have, however, been subject to the town review process, since they
count as an additional structure on a property.
"This is a huge step forward in dealing with
solar," Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle said. "Before, we were dealing
with them just the same way as if they were sheds. I think it's a big step
forward for the town in welcoming solar."
Koetzle said the town's law is based generally on a law
adopted earlier this year by the town of Rotterdam, which has also seen an
increase in demand for solar energy installations.
"It is a smart way to manage the development of
solar energy in our community," Councilman James Martin said.
At a meeting last week, the Town Board also made permanent
what had been a temporary partial property tax exemption available to Cold War
veterans. There are 114 properties in town whose owners have the exemption, out
of nearly 3,000 properties in the town — meaning making it permanent won't
shift much of a tax burden to other properties.
“It’s marginal as far as the impact on taxes," Koetzle
said.
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