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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - 2022-034 GMSOD 2022 3101 Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report Amending and Expanding the Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District Town Council Item No. 2022-034 Date: March 10, 2022 To: Planning Board Members From: Elizabeth Jenkins, AICP, Director of Planning and Development Kate Maldonado, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Jim Kupfer, AICP, Senior Planner Update from the 12/13/2021, 1/7/2022, 2/9/2022, 2/28/2022 Staff Report No new information provided. The Board continued the matter from 2/28/2022 so to have a full Board discussion of the matter. The Town of Barnstable seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance Section 240-44.2 Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District, and to amend the Zoning Map to expand the Overlay District to three parcels in Marstons Mills. This proposed zoning amendment consists of an amendment to the zoning map and an amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance:  Zoning Map: The proposal is to expand the Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District (GMSPOD) to include the properties located at 810 Wakeby Road, Marstons Mills (Assessors’ Map 013 Parcels 004, 005, 052).  Zoning Ordinance Text (attached): The proposal would amend the existing Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District to require a Special Permit for large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations located within any residential district located within the overlay district and would include provisions to address setbacks to mitigate noise impacts, hazardous materials, solar glare, and other concerns. At the February 14, 2022 Planning Board meeting, the Board directed staff to seek out and evaluate qualified peer review engineers who may assist the Board in making an informed decision regarding battery storage and to seek funding for that effort. Since that meeting staff has contacted several organizations in the clean energy industry from universities, state level officials and private sector firms. Of note, staff has reached out to an engineering firm who may be able to assist in the matter having recently completed similar exercises with another municipality in Massachusetts. Staff has discussed a potential scope of services with an engineering firm and is waiting to receive and review a scope and cost for the Board’s consideration. Next Steps At this time the Board has a proposed zoning ordinance amendment before them. The Board may wish to consider and discuss various options moving forward. The Board may wish to continue the matter to a date 2 certain as the town works to procure peer review services and develop additional protocol for battery storage. The Board, if undecided on battery storage may wish to consider the added measures for ground mounted solar, and may request that staff amend the proposed ordinance to prohibit battery storage at this time and bring forward the amendment with ground mounted solar amendments only for a subsequent meeting to finalize. This path forward may also include continued exercise by staff to procure peer review services and development of additional protocol for battery storage to be brought back to the Planning Board at a later date for consideration. Lastly the Board may still request additional time for consideration of the ordinance as drafted and continued to a date certain. Procedural Information Zoning amendments are processed in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 40A Section 5. Notice of this public hearing was provided in accordance with all requirements of MGL 40A§5. Additionally, the Town now offers e-mailed notice of public hearings on proposed zoning amendments by request through the Town website. E-mailed notice of this hearing was provided. The Planning Board must forward an advisory report with recommendations on the proposed zoning amendment to the Town Council within 21 days after close of the Board’s hearing. The recommendation of the Planning Board requires a simple majority of the Planning Board members present and voting. Enclosed attachment  DRAFT Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District Ordinance (unchanged since 2/14/2022)