Town of North Harmony
Planning Board
Tuesday, 2/14/2017, 7:00 PM
Members Present: Pat Rice Dick Johnson
Walter Geist John Warner
Louis Rieg Phil Strand
Steve Senske
Brad Lawson, Zoning C.E.O
Others Present: Dick Sena
Mr. Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Lawson, Zoning C.E.O. gave report.
Discussion on Solar Farms
Mr. Lawson said we already have a zoning law for residential solar use. He had done several permits for solar but no one has wanted to come to the zoning board for the neighbors permission and to make them aware of the fact that they can’t plant trees or build buildings in front of their solar panels.
Mr. Lawson said there were several pad mounts and about 4 or 5 roof mounts in the Town of North Harmony. He thought they were all used for electricity. Brad thought that only one was run by battery.
Mr. Lawson said that the fire department has a concern with the residential solar systems. They should have a sticker on the meter. Mr. Lawson said the sticker is a New York state code.
There was discussion on different types of panels.
Mr. Lawson said we should get Don McCord to a meeting to see what other towns have done.
Mr. Johnson was concerned that it might not be feasible for our town to have a solar farm.
The board was worried that access to the panels would be an issue.
Mr. Lawson does not believe there is anything hazardous in the panels.
Mr. Sena said that without subsidies it’s not cost effective.
Mr. Lawson said that he had noticed with the local panels that when it snows they are snow covered and is concerned that if it is covered is it still effective.
Mr. Sena said he was concerned about the glare that will come off the panels that you can see from a distance away.
Mr. Warner asked how do we bounce the thought of commercial panel farms against the comprehensive plan of what the towns’ people want? People generally voted that they wanted things to stay the same without huge growth.
Mr. Rice said right now we need to be talking about district, access, coverage, and reflection.
The board said that there should be a maximum limit.
Mr. Warner said he doesn’t think it will be good for our little town.
Mr. Rice said he agrees.
Mr. Sena said it just has to be in the right areas.
There was discussion about the subdivision law. Mr. Lawson said that once it is finalized they will move forward with the Grandview project.
Mr. Rice said they changed the law to the town board will be the reviewing board. The planning board will get it initially but any final approval will be at the town board.
Brad said that Booty Bay was bought by a black top contractor out of Buffalo but is unsure at this time their plan.
Dick Sena gave Town Report (see February 2016 minutes)
Next meeting will be March 14, 2017
Wally made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Louis seconded, meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.
Stephanie Gibbs
Deputy Town Clerk
