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Millington Township board imposes temporary moratorium on renewable energy siting, directs zoning amendments
Summary
The Millington Township Board unanimously voted Aug. 19 to impose a temporary moratorium on siting and permitting of renewable energy facilities and sent ordinance amendments — including removal and decommissioning language and shipping-container rules — to the Planning Commission.
The Millington Township Board voted unanimously Aug. 19 to impose a temporary moratorium on the siting, establishment, installation or construction of renewable energy facilities and on issuing related permits until the township’s zoning ordinance is amended. The board also directed the Planning Commission to draft ordinance changes to regulate renewable energy siting and to consider related provisions, including equipment removal clauses and decommissioning language.
The moratorium was proposed after board members discussed waiting until state rules take effect in November to align local regulations with state law. The motion to impose the moratorium passed with all members voting in favor. Supervisor R. Loomis led much of the discussion about balancing local and state requirements.
As part of the same series of motions, the board directed the Planning Commission to pursue amendments to the renewable energy ordinance and separately told the commission to move forward with amendments to allow shipping containers (Conex containers) to be used as storage containers subject to ordinance standards such as setbacks and appearance requirements. The board asked for the Zoning Administrator to draft language following the requirements outlined in section 12.02 of the township ordinance.
Resident Wayne Jaruzel noted to the board that a potential solar installation may be planned at Milliman and Birch Run roads; the board’s moratorium means any such siting or permitting would be on hold until the ordinance is amended. The board did not adopt final ordinance language at the meeting and did not set a specific public-hearing date; it instead instructed the Planning Commission to prepare proposed amendments for board review.
What happens next: The Planning Commission will draft the proposed ordinance amendments and the Zoning Administrator will prepare language for the cemetery ordinance change and other amendments discussed. The board’s moratorium remains in effect until the board lifts it or the ordinance is amended.
