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Italy board debates solar and battery-storage rules; PB/ZBA to revise and consolidate draft laws
Summary
Board members discussed consolidating the proposed solar energy and battery-storage laws, debated siting (Bassett Road corridor), decommissioning bonds, ownership-notification windows, and whether the Town Board or PB/ZBA should have final approval; PB/ZBA will return with revised language.
The Town Board spent substantial time reviewing a draft solar energy law (based on a NYSERDA template) and a companion battery-storage law. Councilmember Malcolm Mac Kenzie said his research indicates the Bassett Road corridor is the only viable site for large-scale solar farms in the town and urged that permit approvals, security postings and decommissioning plans be overseen by the Town Board rather than solely by the PB/ZBA.
Town Attorney Ed Brockman reminded members that host-community agreements and 95-c state siting authority apply to very large projects (greater than 25 MW) and that PILOT agreements are administered by the Yates County IDA. PB/ZBA Chair Michael Herzog recommended aligning noise and ambient-level provisions with existing Zoning Code language and recommended focusing regulation first on higher-risk lithium batteries; he also proposed considering a ban on battery installations above 600 kWh. The PB/ZBA agreed to return with a combined draft that highlights all changes for the Town Board's review.
