Rutland Planning Board
Minutes
Special Meeting
Solar Bylaw
7/14/11
Present: Norman Anderson, Addison Redfield, Dick Williams, Stephanie Bacon, Tim Nahrwold
Staff: Susan Ducharme
Guests: William Scanlan
Open meeting: 6:40pm
At the last meeting of the Planning Board, Mr. Abalo, Ted Arranz and Tomas Velasco of Eosol Americas informed members of available financial assistance available to the town for the structure of solar renewal energy power on the farm in Glenwood place area (no longer under 61A).
Mr. Scanlan has been asked to consult on the project. He was given a contract to review.
He presented a 5 page draft, based on the model, to include a sectionwhich would amend the Zoning Bylaw by adding a new section entitled § 14A Solar Energy Facilities.
Page 1, C – Definitions: Districts, small-scale solar facility (less than 250 kw DC) and large-scale(250 kw DC )solar facility scale.
D – Location: Facilities would be permitted in Rutland’s zoning districts in the manner provided on the scale. “Y” means the use is permitted by right with site plan approval of the Planning Board. “SP” means the use is permitted by special permit with site plan review of the Planning Board. “N” means the use is prohibited.
Referenced:
Heights Planned Development: (p. 1 scale) was referenced.
Bill asked members if they want someone to use a big portion of it for solar panels? The Board will ask RDIC first.
Multifamily Districts: (p.1 scale) was referenced.
This is not in the zoning bylaw, just a section talks about it.
Town Center District: (p 1 scale) is okay
Watershed Protection Overlay: Most is in R60 and is passive recreation
R 40 = 1 family dwelling: Applicant will have to go through Site Plan approval.
Whatever Board decides must be consistent with R 40.
Page 2, E – Exceptions: Remove “and school district”. (1) and (3) okay
(2) Add 50kw (800 sq. ft.) put in a limit.
Page 2,3, F – Site Plan Review Procedure:
(1) Site Plan Documents (a) through (c) okay
d) verbiage to be determined
(e) through (g) okay
(2) Solar Energy System Plans and Documents: (a) through (b) okay
(c) Add “not limited to”
(d) through (h) okay
(3) Fees: Site Plan review fees contained in the Board’s fee schedule shall be due at the time of submission of the application. Fee needs to be done.
Mr. Scanlan will send Chairman the fee schedule. Suggested: Ask Lester Grace
(4) through (5) okay
(6) Procedures: (a) through (c) okay
The Board questioned changing verbiage to read “public informational meeting” (for small scale) and “public hearing” (for large scale) abutters to come in and voice their opinion. They also liked the verbiage “approval of site plan shall require three affirmative votes of the Board” and would be subject to reasonable conditions, modifications and restrictions as the Board may deem necessary.
Page 4, G – Dimension and Density Requirements:
- Setbacks: Board questioned adding in a waiver.
- Natural Buffer: ? okay
- Appurtenant Structures: ? okay
H - Design Standards: (a) through (c) okay
I – Emergency Services: These come out of the model. The Board would like Fire Chief, Tom Ruchala to review.
J – Monitoring and Maintenance: (1) and (2) okay
P. 5, K – Abandonment or Decommissioning: (1) through (3) okay
(4) Financial Surety: Someone other than the Planning Board needs to be in charge of the long term bond (local contract). Board would need some kind of assurance.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Scanlan will make the changes to this first run through document.
Agenda item: 8/9/11 – 6:45pm
Draft to be sent to Tom Dufault, RDIC and Fire Chief, Tom Ruchala for review/comment.
Addison moved to adjourn meeting at 8:50pm, Stephanie 2nd, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan R. Ducharme
Secretary
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