Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Moratorium topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goshen board adopts six‑month moratorium on certain solar energy applications
Summary
The Town of Goshen on April 23 adopted Introductory Local Law No. 1 (2026), a six‑month, town‑wide moratorium on certain solar energy system applications to allow the town to study siting, code and community impacts; the board determined the law a Type II SEQRA action and voted to file it with the New York State Department of State.
The Town of Goshen Board voted April 23 to adopt Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2026, a six‑month, town‑wide moratorium on certain solar energy system applications so the town can study its zoning code and potential changes to siting standards.
Board members said the pause is intended to give the town time to review whether the existing solar law aligns with current, larger project proposals. The board first determined the adoption to be a Type II action under SEQRA, meaning no further environmental review was required before taking the local‑law vote. The clerk was directed to file the adopted local law with the New York State Department of State.
Developers and labor representatives spoke at the continued public hearing. John Hurley, a Goshen developer, said his firm has been working with the planning and zoning boards and had planted 12‑foot trees to screen a nearby array; Hurley asked the board to explain the rationale and to keep the record open for additional written comments. "We want to be aware and we want to be a good developer," Hurley said, asking that the hearing remain open until outstanding questions are answered.
Labor representatives urged careful review but supported well‑designed projects. Dean Tamburri of Laborers Local 17 praised a local project for hiring local workers and using landscaping and local contractors. "This is an exemplary project ... it should be a model going forward," Tamburri said. Tom Knapp of IBEW Local 363 asked the board to consider excluding the Millburn Road project from any moratorium or to refrain from adopting it, saying the project commits to local union labor and American‑made panels.
Board members and attendees discussed the practical effect on pending applications: the town said current applications may proceed but, absent vested rights, could be subject to any code changes adopted after the moratorium. The board estimated active applications were small in number (a speaker referenced two active applications), though other comments referenced a larger historical tally of sites and projects; the town did not provide a definitive active‑application count at the meeting.
After public comment the board closed the hearing, made the SEQRA determination and voted on adoption. The motion to adopt carried with recorded ayes from the council members present; the board also approved a motion directing the clerk to file the adopted local law with the state.
