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Clifton Park schedules hearing on solar moratorium as farmland-protection plan advances
Summary
Residents urged the board to pause large ground-mounted solar arrays and request a GEIS/SEQR review; the town board accepted a draft agricultural and farmland protection plan, issued a SEQR negative declaration and set a public hearing for April 21, 2026.
Residents at the March 18 meeting urged the Clifton Park Town Board to pause large-scale, ground-mounted solar projects—particularly in conservation and agricultural zones—until the town completes environmental review and clarifies zoning rules.
Michael T. Murphy, a former fire commissioner and volunteer firefighter, urged a moratorium and a full GEIS under SEQR to evaluate potential impacts including wetlands, visual character and fire-safety setbacks tied to lithium-ion battery storage. “We should proactively consider how solar best fits into our town… and if need be, revise our zoning laws accordingly,” he said.
Board members responded that the board would put a moratorium on the agenda: the board will vote at its April 7 meeting to schedule a public hearing, and that hearing was announced to be planned for April 21.
Separately, the board advanced the town’s agricultural and farmland protection plan. The town read and adopted a SEQR negative declaration on the draft plan and accepted the draft for public review, officially scheduling a public hearing on April 21, 2026, at 7:02 p.m. in town hall. The draft will be posted on the town web site and made available in hard copy at the town clerk’s office for public inspection.
Why this matters: Residents argued that new solar developments could be inconsistent with recently adopted farmland-protection goals and urged a full environmental review before permitting large arrays. The board has provided a formal opportunity for public comment and review at the April 21 hearing.
