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Planning board hears 49 MW airport solar proposal; zoning and variance questions raised
Summary
A consultant presented a proposed 49-megawatt solar array on airport property covering about 23 acres; board members discussed whether the rural-agricultural zoning requires a variance or could be treated under manufacturing/industrial uses, and suggested running the concept by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and possible ordinance updates.
Representatives for a proposed 49-megawatt solar array presented the project to the Swansea Planning Board and sought the board’s view on how the town’s zoning would treat large-scale solar on airport land.
The consultant described the project as a roughly 49 MW array sited on about 23 acres within the Benston area of the airport and noted the town’s zoning map splits the site across business, residential and rural-agricultural districts. He said the proposal will likely require a variance for portions that fall inside the residential district and raised questions about whether the rural-agricultural zone’s allowances for telecommunications, industrial parks or manufacturing could be interpreted to allow solar by special exception.
“As far as the placement on the residence district ... we understand that we need a variance in order to proceed,” the consultant said. He added that the rural-agricultural district is less clear and that, while the ordinance does not directly address solar, many ordinances treat large energy-generating arrays as a use similar to manufacturing or industrial parks.
Board members discussed prior solar approvals in town and noted the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) provides ordinance interpretation. One member said the cleanest path might be to treat large-scale solar as a conditional use or to add it explicitly as a permitted conditional use in a future zoning warrant article. Several members recommended that the applicant consult with the ZBA for an interpretation and that the planning board consider an ordinance update because the town is likely to see more such proposals.
Planning staff advised that if the planning board were inclined to accept solar arrays under an interpretation of an existing use category (for example, manufacturing), the ZBA’s interpretation would be decisive if challenged. The board asked staff to work internally to draft potential ordinance language and to coordinate with the ZBA on interpretations before the applicant submits formal applications for site plan review or variance requests.
No formal action was taken on the project at the meeting; the discussion focused on zoning classification, potential variance requirements, and whether future ordinance amendments should be pursued so the town has clearer rules for large solar installations.
