by Deb Alter
A Town of Hoosick Public Workshop was held on January 27 so that community members could voice their opinions on the impact commercial solar farms will have on the town’s landscape and on nearby property values, and whether the Town should opt out of the tax break given under current state law.
[private]At the Town Board meeting on December 28, a Local Law was proposed that would allow for exemptions on residential installations, but not for commercial ones. Current state law requires municipalities to give solar installations a 15-year tax exemption on the value of the solar installation. At that time, questions were raised about whether the Town has the option of exempting residential installations but not commercial ones. Other area towns that have opted out of the exemption have done so in whole, that is no one, even residential, will have the 15-year exemption. At that meeting, the Board felt there was not enough information to make a decision on the law and could be risking costly lawsuits, so it was tabled until more research could be done. They also submitted the draft of the law to several appropriate state agencies. The State Department of Taxation is the only one that has responded so far, and they said that the two kinds of installations cannot be differentiated for tax purposes.
Board Member David Sutton said he wants what’s best for the people of Hoosick. He said he would like to find a balance whereby the Town could get some financial benefit, without closing the door on solar development altogether. John Helft suggested that the average life span for a solar farm is about 20 to 25 years, so if a solar company comes in offering a lease for that length of time, at least Hoosick would get five to ten years’ worth of taxes. He pointed out that, if the solar companies don’t come to Hoosick, then Hoosick won’t get anything anyway. Most of those present believed that if the tax exemptions are taken away, there will be no large solar installations in the Town.
A proposal for a moratorium on permits for solar farms while the Town studies the issue further was abandoned last August after most of those at a public hearing on the proposal spoke against it. Instead, a solar committee was established to gather more information on the impacts and benefits of solar array. But many at the January 27 meeting were adamant that there needs to be a moratorium, at least until the solar committee has completed its research and made recommendations.
There were many questions and comments about the impacts and benefits of solar farms in general. Jane Verderosa said “I’m pro-solar, but the Town needs to consider any unintended consequences now, or we could find ourselves in a world of hurt.” She added that she thought a moratorium would be prudent until we have more information and understanding. Patty Baker argued for solar energy, saying solar farms are “not unappealing and don’t cost the Town anything as they require no services.” Helft said that the issue wasn’t about fuel shortages or whether Hoosick will get the energy produced by the solar farms, but about building alternative, sustainable energy sources. Adria Diel said “voting yes for a moratorium is the same as voting no for solar.” So far, three applications for solar farm permits have come across the Zoning Board’s table: the Brownell and Bugbee farms, and one at Hoosac School.
The Solar Committee was charged by the Town Board to research what other towns are doing as far as specific zoning guidelines for solar farms. They are still in the information-gathering stage. They also want to develop clear definitions of what is a “residential” installation and what is a “commercial” installation, based on size. They will also consider how the new solar zoning will fit into, or overlay, with other zoning categories in the land use planning laws, such as, agricultural, industrial, and light industrial, so that it is clear what kinds of locations they will be allowed. Kevin Allard also suggested that part of the solar committee’s report should include the economic impact of the installation, although that wasn’t specifically part of the Solar Committee’s charge. Diel said that the committee was trying to put some educational programs together that might help the public understand the process and impact better.
So far, they have contacted some nearby towns that are also starting to create specific zoning guidelines for solar farms now that they are becoming more prevalent. They include Schodack, North Greenbush, Seneca, and Schaticoke, among others. The kinds of things they are looking at are setbacks, landscaping and screening, and effect on neighboring homes. Allard said that due to the hilly nature of Hoosick, the solar arrays can’t always be screened, so when determining where the farms should or shouldn’t be allowed, “screen-ability” should be taken into account.
People were insistent that specific standards for solar farms should be set for the Zoning Board to follow to insure that the beauty of the landscape and local property values would be preserved, and environmental issues would be addressed; clear standards by which a solar farm would be approved or not. Some voiced concern about safety or environmental issues and others were concerned with aesthetic issues.
In response to those concerned about safety and environmental issues, like companies using pesticides for example, Vicki Wysocki said that the families considering using their land for solar farms have done a lot of research. They don’t want pesticides on their property, either, she said – somebody will mow the grass. They have letters and documentation from NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies and experts, assuring them of the safety and low environmental impact of having a solar farm on their property. Diel said that the solar industry is one of the most highly regulated, there are laws and regulations in place at various levels of government.
Nothing was resolved at this series of meetings, and once again it seems to be a matter of waiting for the Solar Committee to finish its research and make recommendations. The Solar Committee members are Jeff Wysocki (Town Board Member), Gary Kjelgaard and Adria Diel (Planning Board), Andy Beaty (Zoning Board) and Larry Bugbee (citizen). Jeff Delurey is also on the committee, but he was not at the meeting and apparently has not attended any of the Solar Committee meetings so far. Their report to the Zoning Board is due in April.[/private]