Clifton Park schedules hearing on proposed moratorium for some community solar projects

The Town of Clifton Park board voted to schedule a public hearing to consider a proposed moratorium on Tier 2 and Tier 3 solar energy system applications, staff said.

John, a staff member, told the board that residents had expressed concerns about ongoing community solar expansion in western Clifton Park and that a moratorium adopted in 2021 had provided time for the town to refine permitting language. "The moratorium will allow the town to assess impacts of agricultural soils which have been better identified with the mapping from the draft plan," John said, adding that the review would examine cumulative capacity buildout and whether zoning provisions need modification.

The moratorium would pause consideration of new Tier 2/3 applications while staff reviews the draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan and evaluates whether existing zoning aligns with the town's comprehensive plan goals. John referenced the state definitions for Tier 1–3 and said the town intends to follow state permitting guidance as it reassesses local rules.

Why it matters: Board members said the moratorium is intended to give the town time to protect agricultural soils and to consider adjustments to local code rather than immediately block existing projects; the moratorium is a temporary measure and would be subject to public comment at the hearing.

What happens next: The board scheduled the hearing for April 21; the moratorium proposal will be discussed alongside the draft farmland plan during the public comment period.

Ending: The moratorium proposal was placed on the agenda and approved as part of the consent resolutions; an April 21 hearing was set to gather public input.