Committee opens discussion on allowing solar by special permit outside industrial zones

Lakeville’s Zoning Bylaw Review Committee discussed expanding where large solar facilities can be sited, reviewing draft bylaw language and possible town-owned locations for solar projects.

Committee members said the current bylaw allows solar facilities by right only in industrial zones, which limits available sites. Members suggested permitting solar in business or residential zones by special permit with design and screening standards to manage visual impacts, setbacks and decommissioning obligations. The discussion included technical points: solar’s primary zoning concern is visual impact; noise is limited to substation/transformer equipment and can be mitigated with screening; panels require arrays to have unblocked sun exposure; and decommissioning bonds should be required.

Members described prior outreach from solar developers about leasing sites such as town-owned Betty’s Neck and a 1.7‑acre site on Holland Road; they also referenced sites where utility interconnection rules (Eversource vs Middleborough Gas & Electric) affect project economics. The committee noted federal tax and incentive structures affect project returns and that pilot agreements or lease terms would be part of any municipal consideration. Staff and several members asked for a vendor briefing; the committee indicated willingness to host a solar developer to explain model bylaw language and operational expectations.

The committee did not adopt changes at the meeting and asked staff to collect sample bylaws, draft special‑permit criteria that address screening and decommissioning, and coordinate any developer briefings with the town’s Energy Advisory Committee.