FENNER — On July 14, the Fenner Town Board continued its public hearing on a proposed local law to amend the town’s land use regulations with respect to solar energy systems.
The law would authorize and regulate certain small-scale solar energy systems intended for individual residences, businesses and farms. The town’s prohibition on other solar energy facilities, including large-scale commercial solar facilities, would continue.
“It is the intent of this local law to establish regulations regarding the design, placement, construction and operation of small scale solar energy systems as an accessory use while continuing the prohibition of large scale solar farms that adversely impact the town and its residents,” the law states.
To help ensure the safety of firefighters and other emergency responders, rooftop solar units must have a perimeter along the edge of the roof and structurally supported pathways that would provide responders access to the roof and an opportunity to ventilate potential fires.
For ground-mounted systems, the law sets a maximum solar collector/panel height of 12 feet and stipulates that such systems are prohibited in front yards. It also sets the maximum size of the system at no larger than the largest structure on the property. Additionally, the law requires ground-mounted systems to be screened from adjoining lots and street rights-of-ways by architectural features, earth berms, landscaping, or fencing.
The proposed local law also states that any solar installation that has been inactive for more than 12 consecutive months must be removed at the owner’s expense.
According to Jones, more than 100 residents attended the July town board meeting to participate in the public hearing. Of the 40 residents who spoke, only two expressed their opposition to the law.
“There were no changes made to the law, and most likely we as the town board will vote on the law next month,” Jones said.
A copy of the proposed local law may be viewed on the Town of Fenner website at townoffenner.com.
