Source: https://www.ecode360.com/32622819
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 04:18:34+00:00

Document:
§ 174-3 Purpose and intent.
§ 174-6 Solar energy as an accessory use or structure.
§ 174-7 Application and approval standards for large-scale solar systems.
§ 174-9 Abandonment and decommissioning.
Tax exemption — See Ch. 164, Art. VII.
Wind energy conversion systems — See Ch. 173.
Land use development and subdivision regulations — See Ch. A177.
This chapter shall be referred to as "Local Law No. 6 of 2017 Adding Chapter 174 to the Sweden Town Code Concerning Solar Energy Systems and Solar Energy Farms."
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the legislative authority in Municipal Home Rule Law § 10, Town Law §§ 261 through 264, General Municipal Law § 96-a and § 119-dd and Public Service Law Article 10.
The Town of Sweden (hereinafter referred to as "Sweden") finds that solar energy, as properly regulated, is clean, readily available and a renewable energy source beneficial to Sweden, its residents and the general public. Among other things, solar energy can potentially take advantage of a safe, abundant, renewable and nonpolluting energy resource and can also decrease the cost of energy to commercial and residential properties. Solar energy can increase employment and business development in Sweden by furthering the installation of solar energy systems and solar energy farms. Sweden finds a growing need to properly site and regulate solar energy systems and solar energy farms within Sweden to protect residential, commercial, business and other areas or land uses, to preserve the overall beauty, nature and character of Sweden, to promote the effective and efficient use of solar energy resources and to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Sweden. Solar energy systems and/or solar energy farms deplete land available for other uses, introduce industrial usage into other nonindustrial areas and can potentially pose environmental challenges. Solar energy systems and/or solar energy farms need to be regulated for removal when no longer utilized and/or useful in order to prevent environmental problems and/or abandonment of industrial properties and/or such solar energy systems and/or solar energy farms.
A combination of photovoltaic building components integrated into any building envelope system such as vertical facades, including glass and other facade material, semitransparent skylight systems, roofing materials and shading over windows.
A solar energy system that is anchored to the ground and attached to a pole or other mounting system, detached from any other structure for the primary purpose of producing electricity for on-site consumption.
A solar energy system that is ground-mounted and produces energy primarily for the purpose of on-site usage or consumption.
A solar panel system located on the roof of any legally permitted building or structure for the purpose of producing electricity for on-site or off-site consumption.
Electrical energy storage devises, material, hardware, inverters or other electrical equipment and conduit of photovoltaic devices associated with the production of electrical energy equipment.
An electrical generating system composed of a combination of both solar panels and solar energy equipment.
The use of land where a series of one or more solar collector is placed in an area on a parcel of land for the purpose of generating photovoltaic power and said series of one or more solar collectors placed in an area on a parcel of land collectively has nameplate generation capacity of at least 15 kilowatts (kw) direct current (dc) or more when operating at maximum efficiency for the purpose of offsite sale, usage and/or consumption. The term "solar farm" shall not be construed to include, so as to prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the installation of a solar collector that gathers solar radiation as a substitute for traditional energy for water heating, active space heating and cooling, passive heating or generating electricity for a residential property. The term "solar farm" shall also not be construed in such a way as to prohibit the installation or mounting of a series of one or more solar collectors upon the roofs of residential and/or commercial structures regardless of whether said series of one or more solar collectors collectively has a total nameplate generation of at least 15 kilowatts (kw) direct current (dc) or more when operating at maximum efficiency.
A photovoltaic device capable of collecting and converting solar energy into electrical energy.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all solar energy systems and/or solar energy farms proposed, installed, operated, maintained, modified or constructed in any Sweden district after the effective date, excluding general maintenance and repair and/or building-integrated photovoltaic systems, with the proviso that the same comport with noise and glare regulations contained in Sweden Town Code § 175-46G(4).
Roof-mounted solar energy systems that use the electricity on site or off site are permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts when attached to any lawfully permitted building or structure.
Height. Solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum height restrictions of the zoning district within which they are located and are provided the same height exemptions granted to building-mounted mechanical devices or equipment.
Aesthetics. Roof-mounted solar energy system installations shall incorporate, when feasible, the following design requirements: Panels facing the front yard must be mounted at the same angle as the roofs surface with a maximum distance of 18 inches between the roof and highest edge of the system.
Roof-mounted solar energy systems that use the energy on site shall be exempt from site plan review or other land use regulations. Roof-mounted installations can be installed on all properties regardless of zoning subject to applicable permit requirements to do so.
Ground-mounted solar energy systems that use the electricity primarily on site are permitted as accessory structures in Sweden.
Height and setback. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall adhere to the height and setback requirements set forth herein. All ground-mounted panels shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
Lot coverage. A ground-mounted solar energy system shall not exceed 80% of the lot on which it is installed. The lot coverage percentage used by any ground-mounted solar energy system shall include all aspects necessary or required for the system (i.e., fences, shrubbery, roadways, parking) and said percentage shall be in conformity with any Sweden Town Code regulations concerning the same, including zoning regulations.
All such systems are permitted in commercial or industrial zones only (and not in residential zones) and shall be installed on the side or rear portion of the subject property. Any request to install a ground-mounted solar energy system on property zoned residential and/or property contained in an agricultural farm district must either be done by appropriate variance application to the Sweden Zoning Board or alternatively through a request for incentive zoning, all pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Sweden Town Code, including Sweden Town Code Chapter 175.
Large-scale solar energy systems are permitted through approval by the Sweden Planning Board, subject to the requirements set forth in this section, including independent site plan approval. Applications for the installation of a large-scale solar energy system are to be initiated and processed by the Sweden Town Planning Board. Thereafter, after appropriate review by said Board, appropriate review action, approval, conditional approval and/or denial can be made.
If the property of the proposed project is to be leased, legal consent between all parties, specifying the use(s) of the land for the duration of the project, including easements and other agreements, shall be submitted.
Blueprints showing the layout of the solar energy system signed by a professional engineer or registered architect shall be required.
The equipment specification sheets shall be documented and submitted for all photovoltaic panels, significant components, mounting systems and inverters that are to be installed.
Property operations and maintenance plan. Such plan shall describe continuing photovoltaic maintenance property upkeep such as mowing and trimming.
Height and setback. Large-scale solar energy systems shall adhere to the height and setback requirements of the underlying zoning district except as follows herein. Any large-scale solar energy systems that are ground-mounted shall not exceed a height of 12 feet. The retail business/airport/commercial and/or recreational front setback shall be 75 feet, the rear setback shall be 25 feet and the side setback shall be 25 feet. The residential and light industrial front setbacks shall be 100 feet, the rear and side setbacks shall be 200 feet when abutting residential property and shall be 100 feet when abutting business commercial zones. Otherwise, the foregoing setback requirements are intended to be in conformity with the Sweden Town Code and all height measurements are to be calculated when the solar energy system is oriented at maximum tilt.
Lot size. Large-scale solar energy systems shall be located on lots with a minimum lot size of 10 acres.
Lot coverage. A large-scale solar energy system that is ground-mounted shall not exceed 80% of the lot size on which it is installed. The lot coverage percentage used by any ground-mounted solar energy system shall include all aspects necessary or required for the system (i.e., fences, shrubbery, roadways, parking) and said percentage shall be in conformity with any Sweden Town Code regulations concerning the same, including zoning regulations.
All large-scale energy systems shall be enclosed by fencing to prevent unauthorized access. Warning signs with the owner's contact information shall be placed on the entrance and perimeter of the fencing. The type of fencing shall be determined by the Sweden Planning Board. The fencing and the system shall be further screened by any landscaping needed to avoid adverse aesthetic impacts.
All applications shall meet any substantive provisions contained in local site plan requirements and the zoning code that, in the judgment of the Sweden Planning Board, are applicable to the system being proposed. If none of the site plan requirements are applicable, said Board may waive the requirement for site plan review.
Conditions may be imposed for approval of any special use permit in order to enforce the standards referred to herein or in order to discharge its obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
The requirements of this section are established for the purpose of allowing the development of solar farms in Sweden and to provide standards for the placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of these systems.
Solar farms are permitted through approval by the Sweden Planning Board, subject to the requirements set forth in this section, including independent site plan approval. Application for the installation of a solar farm are to be initiated and processed by the Sweden Town Planning Board. Thereafter, after appropriate review by said Board, appropriate review action, approval, conditional approval and/or denial can be made.
Blueprints or drawings of the solar photovoltaic installation signed by a licensed professional engineer or requested architect showing the proposed layout of the system and any potential shading from nearby structures.
Proposed changes to the landscape of site, grading, vegetation clearing and planting, exterior lighting, screening vegetation or structures. Additionally, any vegetation clearing can or may be considered to be a negative impact for SEQRA purposes, depending upon the scope of the same.
A description of the solar farm facility and the technical, economic and other reasons for the proposed location and design shall be prepared and signed by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect that the solar farm complies with all applicable federal and state laws.
A one- or three-phase-line electrical diagram detailing the solar farm layout, solar collector installation, associated components, and electrical interconnection methods, with all National Electrical Code-compliant disconnects and over-current devices.
Documentation of the major system components to be used, including the PV panels, mounting system and inverter.
An operation and maintenance plan which shall include measures for maintaining safe access to the installation, stormwater controls, as well as general procedures for operational maintenance of the installation.
Information on noise (inverter) and reflectivity/glare of solar panels and identification of potential impacts to abuttors.
If the property of the proposed project is to be leased, legal consent between all parties, specifying the use(s) of the land for the duration of the project, including easements, leases and other agreements, shall be submitted.
In addition to any site plan approval required by the Sweden Planning Board herein, a special use permit is required for a solar farm. The development shall conform to the following standards, which shall be regarded as minimum requirements.
Solar farms of at least 15 (kw) shall be on a parcel of not less than 10 acres.
Solar farms shall adhere to the height and setback requirements of the underlying zoning district except as follows herein. Any solar farms that are ground-mounted shall not exceed a height of 12 feet. The retail business/airport/commercial and/or recreational front setback shall be 75 feet, the rear setback shall be 25 feet and the side setback shall be 25 feet. The residential and light industrial front setbacks shall be 100 feet, the rear and side setbacks shall be 200 feet when abutting residential property and shall be 100 feet when abutting business commercial zones. Otherwise, the foregoing setback requirements are intended to be in conformity with the Sweden Town Code and all height measurements are to be calculated when the solar farm is oriented at maximum tilt.
All mechanical equipment on a solar farm, including any structure for batteries or storage cells, is completely enclosed by a minimum eight-foot-high fence with a self-locking gate.
The total surface area of all ground-mounted and freestanding solar collectors, including solar voltaic cells, panels and arrays, shall not exceed 80% of the total parcel area.
The installation of a vegetated perimeter buffer to provide year-round screening of the system from adjacent properties.
Because of neighborhood characteristics and topography, the Sweden Planning Board shall examine the proposed location on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the potential impact to its residents, business or traffic are not a detriment.
All solar energy production systems shall be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare toward any habitable buildings, as well as streets and rights-of-way.
All on-site utility and transmission lines shall be, to the extent feasible, placed underground.
The installation of a clearly visible warning sign concerning voltage shall be placed at the base of all pad-mounted transformers and substations.
The system shall be designed and situated to be compatible with the existing uses on adjacent and nearby properties.
All solar energy system components shall conform with setback requirements set forth in the Sweden Town Code for the particular district.
Solar modular panels shall not release hazardous materials.
All appurtenant structures, including, but not limited to, equipment shelters, storage facilities, transformers and substations, shall be architecturally compatible with each other and shall be screened from the view of persons not on the parcel.
Lighting of solar farms shall be consistent with all state and federal laws. Lighting of appurtenant structures shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes and shall be reasonably shielded from abutting properties. Where feasible, lighting of the solar photovoltaic installation shall be directed downward and shall incorporate full cutoff fixtures to reduce light pollution.
There shall be no signs except announcement signs, such as "no trespassing" signs, or any signs required to warn of danger. A sign is required that identifies the owner and operator with an emergency telephone number where the owner and operator can be reached on a twenty-four-hour basis. Any signage laws, regulations and/or ordinances, including the National Electrical Code and/or Emergency Services, shall prevail over the requirements contained in the previous two sentences of this subsection in the event that a conflict between the same arises.
There shall be a minimum of one parking space to be used in connection with the maintenance of the solar photovoltaic facility and the site. However, it shall not be used for the permanent storage of vehicles.
The solar farm owner or operator shall provide a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic and site plan to the Sweden Fire Marshal. Upon request, the owner or operator shall cooperate with all local emergency services in developing an emergency response plan. All means of shutting down the solar farm facility shall be clearly marked. The owner or operator shall identify a responsible person for public inquiries through the life of the installation.
No solar farm shall be approved or constructed until satisfactory evidence has been provided that the utility company operating the electrical grid where the installation is to be located has authorized the interconnected customer-owner generator.
A solar farm owner or operator shall maintain the facility in good condition. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting, structural repairs and integrity of security measures. Site access shall be maintained to a level acceptable to the Sweden Fire Marshal and emergency services. The owner or operator shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining the solar farm and any access road(s) unless the same is accepted as a public way.
Any large-scale solar energy system and/or solar farm shall be considered abandoned after six months without electrical energy generation and must be removed from the property. Applications for extensions subsequent to such an abandonment as described in the previous sentence can be reviewed by the Sweden Planning Board for a period of up to six months after such abandonment.
Include an affirmative obligation and acknowledgement that after any large-scale solar energy system and/or solar farm can no longer be used, it shall be removed by the applicant and/or any subsequent owner.
Demonstrate how the removal of all infrastructure and the remediation of soil and vegetation shall be conducted to return the parcel to its original state prior to construction.
Include an expected timeline for execution and completion.
Include a detailed cost estimate detailing the projected expense of executing the decommissioning plan to be prepared and signed by a professional engineer or registered architect.
Obligate the owner, operator and/or successors in interest to remove any ground-mounted solar collectors which have reached the end of their useful life or have been abandoned, physically remove the installation no more than six months after the date of discontinued operations and also notify the Sweden Planning Board by certified mail of the proposed date of discontinued operations and the plans for removal.
Include an obligation to physically remove all ground-mounted solar collectors, structures, equipment, security barriers and transmission lines from the site.
Include an obligation to dispose of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local, state and federal waste disposal regulations.
Absent notice of a proposed date of decommissioning and written notice of extenuating circumstances, any large-scale solar energy system and/or any solar energy farm shall be considered abandoned when it fails to operate (as set forth in Subsection A of this section) for more than six months without the written consent of the Sweden Planning Board. If the owner or operator of any large-scale solar energy system and/or any solar farm fails to remove the installation in accordance with the requirements of this section within six months of abandonment or the proposed date of decommissioning, Sweden may enter the property and physically remove the installation upon application to a court of appropriate jurisdiction to obtain access to said property for that purpose.
In the event the Sweden Planning Board grants an application for a solar farm, said Board shall require that the applicant and/or property owner provide or establish a bond, surety bond, financial deposit, undertaking, financial escrow and/or other financial security, the amount, substance and character of which is to be determined by and at the sole discretion of said Board, the spirit and intent of the same being to ensure that sufficient funds are available to remove the installation and restore landscaping consistent with the best interests of the landowner and/or Sweden in the event the applicant fails to comply with its decommissioning obligations with the same to be annually reviewed for financial sufficiency (with any decision relating to continued financial sufficiency also to be in the sole discretion of said Board). As a part of the foregoing review process, an owner or operator shall provide financial documentation, financial statements or any other information requested by said Board on an annual basis. Sweden reserves the right to request reasonable access to the property upon notice and consent.
Any violation of this chapter shall be subject to the same civil and criminal penalties provided for in the Sweden Town Code (including any applicable zoning regulations) and/or the laws of the State of New York.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person, individual, firm or corporation, or circumstance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part of this chapter, or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which said order or judgment shall be rendered.
This chapter shall take effect upon the date it is filed in the Office of the New York State Secretary of State in accordance with the Municipal Home Rule Law § 27.

References: § 174

§ 174

§ 174
 § 10
 § 96
 § 119
 § 175
 § 27