1.1 1.1
LOCAL LAWS\ENACTMENT\Moratorium on Ground-Mounted Solar Systems—8-15-19
RESOLUTION ENACTING 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, on or about July 19, 2019 the Warren County Planning Department
considered the proposal and found that the Project would not create any significant
intermunicipal or county-wide impacts, and
WHEREAS, on or about July 23, 2019, the Queensbury Planning Board considered the
proposal and advised that the moratorium should clarify whether the ground-mounted solar
energy systems are commercial or residential, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly held a public hearing on Monday, August 5t, 2019 and
heard all interested persons,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby enacts Local Law No.: _ of 2019
"A Local Law to Establish a Temporary Moratorium on Installation of Ground-Mounted Solar
Energy Systems" which Law shall authorize a temporary, six (6) month moratorium on the
installation of ground-mounted solar energy systems located in all Town of Queensbury Zoning
Districts until February 5`h, 2020 or any earlier date that the Town Board adopts regulations relating
to installation of ground-mounted solar energy systems, whichever date comes first, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to file the Local Law with the New York State Secretary of State in accordance with the
provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law and acknowledges that the Local Law will take effect
immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Duly adopted this 5th day of August, 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
1
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.
2
PLANNING BOARD DEBRIEFING NOTES
JULY 23, 2019
Members Present-Traver, Deeb, White, Valentine, Hunsinger, Shafer, Jackoski
Members Absent- Magowan, Alternate Members —Dixon
Other Business 8:21-8:33
Solar Moratorium — Board members noted the Town Board had referred the moratorium for advisory
comment. The members agreed the moratorium should clarify ground mounted solar commercial or residential.
Adjourn: 8:34
Ju119-23
Warren County Planning Department
Project Review and Referral Form
Reviewed by Department on July 24, 2019
Project Name: Town of Queensbury
Owner: Town of Queensbury
ID Number: QBY-19-LL
County Project#: Jul19-23
Current Zoning:
Community: Queensbury
Project Description:
Applicant proposes temporary moratorium on instillation of ground-mounted solar energy systems.
Site Location:
Tax Map Number(s):
Staff Notes:
The Warren CountyPlanning Department finds that the project will not create any significantinter-municipal or county-wide
impacts to the items identified in GML§239.
Local actions to date(if any):
County Planning Department:
NCI
Local Action:/Final Disposition:
7/24/2019
Warren County Planning Department Date Signed Local Official Date Signed
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE WARREN COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF FINAL ACTION