Council narrows zoning for battery energy storage systems, removing residential districts
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Summary
After a public hearing, the council adopted an amendment removing residential districts from where front‑of‑meter battery energy storage systems may be located, citing emergency response and siting concerns; the bill as amended returns March 2.
Bill 9‑26 would add conditional zoning entries to allow front‑of‑meter Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in specified districts with conditions such as proximity to substations and arterial access. Supporters, including developers and energy‑sector representatives, said BESS deployments are needed to bolster regional grid reliability as older generation retires and peak demand rises.
CME Mar and Mid‑Atlantic developers described typical BESS deployments: arrays of containerized battery units spanning 5 to 10 acres sited near substations. They argued the technology provides grid resilience, cost‑smoothing and minimal traffic impact. Evan Platt (CME MAR) described BESS as an established option for immediate backup during peak load periods.
Council moved and adopted an amendment that removes all residential zoning districts from the allowable district list (Amendment 1). Supporters and some councilmembers explained RA (rural) districts have constrained water supply or fire‑response limitations and that extinguishing battery fires can require substantial water resources; removal of residential districts aimed to mitigate those risks. Administration staff and planning officers noted the need to consult utilities on siting because distribution constraints sometimes require distributed placements.
The amendment passed unanimously by roll call (7‑0). Bill 9‑26 as amended will return on March 2 for further consideration and possible additional technical conditions tied to emergency response, siting and proximity requirements.
