Very few development projects these days have the same potential long-term, widespread impact on a community than the placement of solar arrays.
Depending on their size and location, the giant blue panels can be a relatively minor intrusion, helping provide revenue for farmers leasing underused agricultural land, improving already developed space like parking lots and warehouse roofs, and generating tax revenue.
But too many panels in the wrong location can become a community eyesore and interrupt scenic vistas, especially if developers remove large tracts of wooded land to make room for the panels. Some residents living in close proximity also fear solar arrays could significantly bring down their property values.
For all the towns trying to create a regulatory structure to manage the growth of solar arrays, it’s a balancing act between taking advantage of benefits of the new green industry and maintaining community character.
So it’s vital that citizens of Rotterdam do their homework, have their questions ready and make time to attend Wednesday’s public hearing on a new proposed solar energy law.
The law, which has been in the works for over a year, is fairly comprehensive.
It covers a wide variety of potential locations for arrays, sets parameters for development; establishes rules for buffer zones to lessen the impact on neighbors; considers the potential impact on the environment and wildlife, scenic vistas and agricultural land; sets limits on construction of arrays in wetlands and other sensitive areas; provides a mechanism for permits, public safety and decommissioning of arrays; and establishes a fee structure.
The full text of the law can be found on the town website as part of Wednesday night’s town board meeting agenda: https://www.rotterdamny.org/meetings/town-board.
If you’re a citizen who feels like they might be affected by the law, it would behoove you to read through the law before attending Wednesday’s 7 p.m. public hearing.
Of course, the law will have to pass muster with the state and conform to legal requirements. And no doubt developers may take issue with some of the restrictions in the law.
That’s why it’s vital for the citizens to have their say, so that town officials can move forward with all the information they need to ensure their residents’ needs are fully addressed.
Residents and government officials in other communities might also want to monitor the progress of Rotterdam’s law as they weigh the impact of solar arrays in their own communities.
If you don’t share your thoughts now, you may be too late to have a role in what your community looks like in the future.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
