Town Board calls for moratorium on new and larger solar projects

Town Board has called a special meeting for March 7 to facilitate emerging conversations about solar arrays in Chatham. The board wants to help the Planning Update Committee to establish guides for solar projects before any new projects are under review.

With the adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan for the Town and having a Community Preservation Plan to protect agricultural and natural resources, a Zoning Update Committee has been established.

While the Town wants to support the use of alternative sources energy, it has become clear that adequate rules and regulations guiding such projects aren’t in place.

The Building Department can handle a solar project up to 25 KW in size.  Recently a solar project was proposed that was beyond that limit. It had to be referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Meanwhile, the State has set goals to expand the use of alternate sources of energy throughout the State. 

Thus, the Town Board is proposing a local law to establish a moratorium on larger solar energy projects so that the Zoning Update Committee can establish guides for solar projects without being under the pressure of having a project under review.

A Public hearing will be held at the Town Hall on March 7, 2024 at 6:35PM for the purpose of accepting public comment on a proposed Local Law to Impose a Town-Wide Temporary Six-Month Moratorium on Solar Energy Arrays.  

The proposed law can be found on the town’s web site or at the Clerk’s office. This local law provides among other things that:

• All current and new project reviews will cease.

• The duration of the moratorium will be 6 months unless extended.

• Application for small roof or ground mounted solar arrays are not affected and may be submitted.

• Application may be made for a variance if the moratorium presents an unnecessary hardship.