Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yorktown board adopts tighter limits on large ground‑mounted solar arrays, grandfathering one project
Summary
The Town Board voted March 17 to amend zoning to bar new large‑scale ground‑mounted solar systems in residential districts, tighten setbacks and decommissioning bonds, and grandfather the Jacob Road project while removing a Dell site. The measure passed after debate over grandfathering and ‘‘floating‑zone’’ exceptions.
Yorktown’s Town Board on March 17 adopted a revised zoning provision that restricts new large‑scale, ground‑mounted solar installations in residential districts while preserving limited grandfathering for a previously proposed project.
The board approved an amendment to Section 381.4 of the town zoning code that narrows where large ground‑mounted solar farms may be sited, lowers allowed heights for some arrays and canopy systems, and strengthens bonding and decommissioning requirements. The measure also removes one previously proposed site (the former Dell parcel) from grandfathering and keeps a separate Jacob Road project eligible for grandfathering and community‑solar benefits.
Supporters said the changes respond to resident concerns about visibility, tree clearing and neighborhood character. ‘‘We heard clearly from residents that they do not want large industrial‑scale arrays in high‑visibility neighborhoods,’’ said Councilwoman Susan Siegel.
Opponents argued the new blanket restriction ties town hands for otherwise appropriate sites and urged a case‑by‑case ‘‘floating zone’’ or explicitly naming suitable agricultural parcels. ‘‘Right project, right location — I prefer evaluating applications on their merits,’’ said Council member Lonnie (speaker 2).
The board acknowledged compromises in the final text: staff walked project sites with board members and removed one controversial site from grandfathering after the applicant relinquished interest. The adopted text also includes a deed restriction option to prohibit on‑site battery storage for grandfathered community‑solar projects.
The motion to adopt passed by voice/roll‑call with a majority in favor and one member recorded as opposed. The town attorney and planning staff said implementation details — including exact permit conditions and fee schedules — will follow in administrative procedures and master fee updates.
Next steps: the town clerk will post the adopted local law and the effective date; staff said implementation guidance for applicants will be provided by the planning department.
