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SET PUBLIC HEARING\Moratorium on Ground-Mounted Solar Panels—7-15-19
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED
LOCAL LAW NO. OF 2019 TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY
MORATORIUM ON INSTALLATION OF
GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
RESOLUTION NO. ,2019
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board finds that it is in the public interest to prevent
the premature and inappropriate installation of any ground-mounted solar energy system that
would cause negative impacts to properties and therefore wishes to consider adoption of Local
Law No.: of 2019 entitled, "A Local Law to Establish a Temporary Moratorium on Installation
of Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems" which Law shall authorize a temporary moratorium on
the installation of ground-mounted solar energy systems located within all Town of Queensbury
Zoning Districts through February 5th, 2020 or any earlier date that the Town Board adopts updated
regulations relating to installation of ground-mounted solar energy systems,and
WHEREAS, this legislation is authorized in accordance with New York State Municipal
Home Rule Law§10,and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to set a public hearing concerning adoption of this
Local Law,
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a public hearing at the
Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5`1',
2019 to hear all interested persons and take any necessary action provided by law concerning
proposed Local Law No.: of 2019, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing concerning proposed Local Law No. _ of
2019 in the manner provided by law and send the Notice of Public Hearing to the Clerk of the
Warren County Board of Supervisors, Warren County Planning Department and Town of
Queensbury Planning Board and other communities or agencies that it is necessary to give
written notice to in accordance with New York State Town Law §264 and §265, the Town's
Zoning Regulations and the Laws of the State of New York, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby refers such proposed Local Law to the Warren
County Planning Department and the Queensbury Planning Board for their advisory
recommendations in accordance with General Municipal Law §239-m and Queensbury Town
Code §179-15-040, and directs the Community Development Department to take all actions
necessary to effect such referrals.
Duly adopted this 15`1'day of July, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
LOCAL LAWS\Moratorium on Ground Mounted Solar Panels—8-5-19
LOCAL LAW NO. _ OF 2019
A LOCAL LAW TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
INSTALLATION OF GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURYAS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Subject and Authority
The Town of Queensbury hereby enacts a temporary six (6) month moratorium on the
installation of any ground-mounted solar energy system within all Town Zoning Districts. This
Local Law is adopted in accordance with Municipal Home Rule Law§10 and shall be as follows:
SECTION 2. Purpose
The solar industry has grown in recent years due to increased calls to reap the economic
and environmental advantages of renewable energy, the federal and state tax benefits and solar
industry innovation. There are no current solar energy system regulations in the Queensbury
Town Code. The Town Board is concerned about the possible increase in demand and the
potential impacts of ground-mounted solar energy systems and believes it is necessary to
establish a Local Law enacting a temporary six (6) month moratorium on installation of any
ground-mounted solar energy system in order to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Recognizing this need, the Town believes that such six (6) month moratorium is necessary to
allow the Town Board time to study these issues in order to establish appropriate ground-
mounted solar system regulations. This moratorium does not include roof-mounted solar
systems.
SECTION 3. Moratorium
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The Town of Queensbury hereby imposes a moratorium on the installation of ground-
mounted solar energy systems located in all Town of Queensbury Zoning Districts until February
5th, 2020 or any earlier date that the Town Board adopts regulations relating to installation of
ground-mounted solar energy systems. This moratorium shall not apply to ground-mounted solar
energy systems installed in the Town of Queensbury prior to the effective date of this Local Law.
SECTION 4. Extensions
This moratorium may be extended for such additional periods as the Town Board may
determine to be necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the
Town of Queensbury.
SECTION 5. Termination
This moratorium shall be terminated earlier than February 5th, 2020 upon enactment of
any local legislation which adopts regulations relating to ground-mounted solar energy systems.
SECTION 6. Effective Period
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the Office of the New York
Secretary of State as provided in Municipal Home Rule Law §27 or as otherwise provided by
law.
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