A. Purpose.
(1) These regulations shall regulate the construction, maintenance and placement of solar array systems and any associated accessory uses and equipment.
(2) The purpose of this legislation is to balance the potential impact on neighbors when solar array systems may be installed near their property while preserving the rights of the property owners to install solar collection systems without excess regulation.
B. Applicability.
(1) The requirements of this section shall apply to all solar array systems installed or modified after the effective date of this chapter, excluding general maintenance and repair.
(2) All solar array systems shall be designed, erected and installed in accordance with all applicable codes, regulations and industry standards as referenced in the New York State Building Code, the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other local regulations in the Town's code.
C. SEQRA requirements.
(1) Under New York State's SEQRA regulations, actions are grouped as Type I, Type II or Unlisted Actions. Type II Actions are exempt from review and include actions such as construction, expansion or placement of minor accessory structures.
(2) The Town considers rooftop and building-integrated solar uses to be Type II Actions and therefore exempt from all SEQRA requirements, including the submission of an EAF environmental assessment form).
(3) Large-scale and small-scale solar array systems, as defined by this chapter, that meet the thresholds contained in the SEQRA regulations are considered more likely than others to have a significant adverse environmental impact. These uses shall be considered Type I Actions.
(4) Any need for a complete environmental impact statement (EIS) shall be determined by the Town Board in accordance with the significance of the potential adverse environmental impact.
D. Setbacks, lot size, and lot coverage.
(1) The regulations in this sub-article shall apply to both large-scale and small-scale solar array systems.
(2) Solar array systems shall be considered principal uses and shall be permitted according to the regulations contained herein.
(3) Large-scale solar array systems shall only be permitted in the Agricultural-Residential (AR) and Rural Residential (RR) Districts. Small-scale solar array systems shall only be specially permitted in the Agricultural-Residential (AR) and Rural Residential (RR) Districts.
(4) Solar array systems shall comply with the height and setback requirements of the underlying zoning district together with the following area requirements, whichever is more restrictive:
(a) Solar array systems shall be set back a minimum of 300 ft. from the edge of any public right-of-way.
(b) Solar array systems shall be set back a minimum of 200 ft. from each property line bordering the property on which the use will be sited.
(c) Solar array systems shall be set back a minimum of 350 ft. from any residential land use on an adjacent property.
(d) Solar array systems shall be at least 50 ft. from any structure on the premises hosting the solar energy system, which may contain additional solar energy equipment.
(e) No part of the large-scale solar array system shall exceed 35 ft. in height.
(5) Solar array systems shall be located on lots with a minimum lot size that is large enough to accommodate the proposed system. No solar array system will be permitted on multiple parcels. In this case, the system would only be permitted if the parcels were combined and retired by deed.
(6) The maximum lot coverage for any large-scale solar array system, inclusive of all solar energy systems, solar energy equipment, and relevant accessory uses shall be included in a property's total lot coverage and shall not exceed 50% of total lot coverage.
E. Fencing, glare, screening and landscaping.
(1) All mechanical equipment related to any solar array system 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. All fencing shall be seven feet in height in accordance with National Electric Code.
(2) All solar panels to be included in a large-scale solar array, small-scale solar array, or roof-mounted solar systems shall have an anti-reflective coating.
(3) The removal of existing vegetation is limited to the extent necessary for the construction and maintenance of the solar array system. Removal of existing trees larger than six inches in diameter should be minimized to the extent possible.
(4) Applicants seeking to develop large-scale solar array systems shall develop, implement and maintain native vegetation to the extent practicable pursuant to a vegetation management plan by providing native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat beneficial to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators.
(5) Solar array systems smaller than 10 acres shall have views minimized from adjacent properties to the extent reasonably practicable using architectural features, earth berms, landscaping, or other screening methods that will harmonize with the character of the property and surrounding area.
(6) Solar array systems larger than 10 acres shall be required to:
(a) Conduct a visual assessment of the visual impacts of the solar array system on public roadways and adjacent properties. At a minimum, a line-of-sight profile analysis shall be provided. Depending on the scope and potential significance of the visual impacts, additional impact analyses, including a digital viewshed report, shall be required to be submitted by the applicant.
(b) Submit a screening and landscaping plan to show adequate measures to screen through landscaping, grading or other means so that views of solar panels and solar energy equipment shall be minimized as reasonably practical from public roadways and adjacent properties to the extent feasible.
(c) The screening and landscaping plan shall specify the locations, elevations, height, plant species, and/or materials that will comprise the structures, landscaping, and/or grading used to screen and/or mitigate any adverse aesthetic effects of the system, following the applicable rules and standards established by the Town of Parma.
F. Safety.
(1) All solar array systems shall be certified under the applicable electrical and/or building codes as required.
(2) Solar array systems shall be maintained in good working order and in accordance with industry standards. Site access shall be maintained, including snow removal at a level acceptable to the Town's Fire Department.
(3) Where deemed necessary, the Zoning Board of Appeals may require the applicant to ensure emergency access to the facility area for local first responders by installing an emergency local box or similar device in a location subject to approval by the Town's Fire Department.
G. Battery storage.
(1) If solar storage batteries are included as part of a small-scale or large-scale solar array systems, then their location, placement and maintenance shall be governed by and in accordance with the regulations in this section, the New York State Uniform Code and all regulations promulgated under New York State Code and the National Electric Code.
(2) When storage batteries are no longer in use, they shall be properly disposed of in accordance with New York State law and all other relevant and applicable federal and local disposal laws and/or regulations.
H. For detailed information on decommisioning a facility, see
§ 165-52H.
I. Agricultural resources.
(1) Solar array systems shall occupy no more than 50% of an area of mineral soil groups (MSG) 1-4 within the facility area.
(2) If the landowner demonstrates that, notwithstanding the classification as MSG 1 to 4, the land cannot be profitably employed due to excessive wetness, rocky conditions or slopes, the land may be excluded from the calculation required by this section.
(3) To the maximum extent practicable, solar array systems located on MSG 1 to 4 shall be constructed, monitored and decommissioned in accordance with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets "Guidelines for Solar Energy Projects - Construction Mitigation for Agricultural Lands."