Battery storage setbacks, safety and insurance concerns dominate Dryden planning discussion

The Dryden Planning Board devoted extended discussion to battery energy storage systems included in the redline. Nan said she largely followed the New York State model but adjusted setbacks upward in the draft after community concerns, noting a previous draft line referenced a 750‑foot distance to the nearest non‑participating occupied building. She told the group she had increased distances in the draft because "the battery container to the nearest non-participating occupied building [in the screen] 750 ft" and that she had concerns about community acceptance of shorter setbacks.

Members raised safety and firefighting concerns — including reports that battery fires generate toxic smoke and can be difficult for local fire departments to manage — and debated whether to require setbacks to the nearest property line (a clear measurement) rather than to occupied buildings. The working compromise was to set a minimum (staff suggested 250 ft) and allow the town board, as part of a special-use permit review, to require larger distances based on the "unique circumstances of the project." The board asked staff to research best practices and recent incidents in other communities and to propose a recommended baseline setback for the next redline.