Planning Board opens hearing on bylaw to regulate small clean energy facilities

The Westford Planning Board opened a public hearing on PB 2612, a proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw that would create Section 6.6 to govern small clean energy infrastructure facilities, including solar and battery energy storage systems. Chair called the hearing, motions to waive the reading and to open the public hearing were approved by voice vote.

Kelly Lynamo, deputy director at MCOG, told the board the state’s 225 CMR 29 framework requires a consolidated municipal permitting process and establishes a 12-month review window after completeness is determined. “The law basically requires it's procedural. It's more about the process by which something is reviewed, not the legal language of the zoning,” Lynamo said, outlining the 30-day completeness check and the potential for constructive approval if the town does not issue a final decision within 12 months.

The draft creates a distinct Section 6.6 to address battery electric storage systems and solar, recommends site-suitability screening and sets review thresholds so some projects would be allowed by-right while others would require site plan review or a special permit depending on size and whether the use is accessory or principal. Board members and members of the public asked the board to clarify which districts would allow by-right development, and whether larger facilities should instead require a special permit.

The hearing was continued to the board’s next meeting at 7 p.m. on August 17 to allow staff to revise the draft incorporating the comments and to prepare district-specific tables and additional clarifying language.