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Commission raises equity and legal concerns about creating a 'preferred' solar-sites map
Summary
Members warned a preferred-solar-sites map could create precedent and litigation risk, and suggested using a descriptive checklist and documenting existing local projects and substation capacity instead.
During review of the Enhanced Energy Plan draft, commissioners debated whether to include a "Preferred Solar Locations" map. Some members said a mapped preference could unfairly advantage certain landowners and expose the town to legal challenges; others noted the town may already have met or exceeded state solar targets.
"To determine what person's property is preferred over another person's property is wrong," said Mike Norris, who argued that creating a map could set a precedent and lead to disputes. Chuck Charbonneau added the town could not afford litigation if a map advantaged some property owners. Commissioners discussed alternatives, including providing a descriptive checklist of preferred-site characteristics rather than a geographically explicit map, and including an inventory map of solar projects already installed in Pittsford.
