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South Fayette adopts ordinance expanding rules for small renewable systems, adds conditions for large projects
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2025‑02 to allow small wind, solar and geothermal systems across districts and to set conditional use rules and stronger setback standards for larger projects after county review.
The South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners on Oct. 8 adopted Ordinance 2025‑02 amending Chapter 240 to add rules for renewable energy systems.
At a public hearing introducing the measure, Chris outlined the change “to permit small wind, small solar and hydraulic heat systems in all districts,” and said large wind and large solar would be allowed only as conditional accessory or principal uses in specified commercial and industrial districts. County reviewers suggested tightening setback language; staff said the ordinance was amended to strengthen those setbacks rather than relax them.
The change means small residential and rooftop systems will be expressly allowed under township zoning and establishes a conditional review pathway for larger utility‑scale installations that could affect nearby properties. Officials said the county’s comments led to minor edits that increased setback protections.
No members of the public offered comment during the hearing. After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried. Staff said the ordinance amendments update the township code to reflect recent interest in local renewable projects and to create a predictable review process for larger installations.
The board also adopted Ordinance 2025‑03 regulating e‑scooter use in township parks on the same agenda, placing restrictions on where scooters may operate rather than an outright prohibition. The chief reviewed that measure and told the board he supported the approach.
The board’s action is procedural: the ordinance amends Township Code Chapter 240 and Chapter 183 and will be incorporated into the township’s published code. The meeting record indicates the county review comments were considered and resulted in slightly stronger setback requirements for larger projects.
