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Trustee proposes 80 kWh limit on residential battery systems; board schedules hearing
Summary
A trustee proposed a local law capping battery energy storage systems at 80 kWh villagewide and scheduled a March 23 public hearing; trustees discussed variance guidance for the zoning board and floodplain safety considerations.
At the March 9 work session a trustee proposed a draft local law to cap residential battery energy storage systems at 80 kilowatt-hours. The trustee described the measure as balancing rooftop solar and floodplain safety, saying "80 kilowatt hour is enough to power a large residence for approximately 3 days should the grid lose electricity." He said larger BESS installations would be banned villagewide under the proposed ordinance, with variances possible through the Zoning Board.
Trustees discussed whether the draft provides sufficient guidance for zoning-board variances and suggested a public education "101" on solar and BESS to reduce confusion. One trustee noted the proposal was modeled on similar Long Beach legislation and staff agreed to schedule a public hearing on March 23 for the board to consider the local law.
No regulation was adopted at the meeting; staff will place the draft on the March 23 agenda and prepare variance guidance and potential ordinance language for public review.
