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Board reviews state clean-energy siting guidance and resident concerns over large solar arrays
Summary
Planning board members discussed state clean energy siting reforms and a resident letter raising concerns about large solar installations; staff said Sam volunteered to be the local permitting contact and the board debated exclusion vs. overlay options pending attorney general and select-board steps.
The board reviewed correspondence about recent state clean energy siting reforms and a resident letter that raised concerns about large, industrial-scale solar arrays in West Newbury. Jen (staff) summarized the state's recommendation that municipalities appoint a local government representative to coordinate permitting and said, "Sam has volunteered himself to do that," adding that the select board will consider the matter on the 9th. Jen also told the board, "We are unlikely to see any of these truly large systems anyway because the land isn't available."
Board members picked up a newer letter from Sandra Raymond raising three concerns about solar, growth management, and town planning. Chair Rob Phillips and Ray discussed the practical options, noting the town might pursue both an exclusion for very large systems and an overlay district as a contingency should legal circumstances change after attorney-general review. As Rob summarized, it "is conceivable that we may still do both the exclusion and the overlay district," but the board said it will coordinate with the select board and explain rationale to voters before any town meeting action.
