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Planning Board to review SoulSmart feedback on town solar ordinance
Summary
Board members were briefed on SoulSmart's review of Brookfield's solar ordinance and agreed to consider suggested edits and training; no ordinance amendments were adopted at the meeting.
The Brookfield Town Planning Board discussed obtaining outside feedback on the town’s solar ordinance from SoulSmart, a group that provides technical assistance and model checklist materials for local solar permitting. Board members agreed to review SoulSmart’s analysis and related sample checklists and to revisit the item at a future meeting.
A board member summarized materials SoulSmart provided, including a zoning review that recommends clearer definitions to distinguish roof-mounted from ground-mounted systems and accessory from primary uses. The analysis also suggested strengthening the ordinance’s purpose statement by referencing local goals and plans to create a stronger legal foundation for future solar projects.
Members noted the town’s current ordinance had been adapted from Durham’s model and covers mostly residential-scale systems. SoulSmart’s review, the board was told, identifies areas where the town’s ordinance aligns with best practices and where clarifying language or a permit checklist could help applicants and town staff. Board members discussed the possibility of a SoulSmart webinar and in-person review; a member said SoulSmart would be willing to present and has already produced a zoning review and comments on Brookfield’s solar section.
No formal changes were made to the ordinance at this meeting. Board members asked colleagues to read the SoulSmart materials before the next meeting, with a plan to discuss potential edits or adoption of a checklist in coming months. Staff indicated SoulSmart’s analysis will be circulated to the full board for consideration.
