[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southport 3-12-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019 (Res. No.
53-2019). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the Town of Southport Municipal
Code and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, which
authorize the Town to adopt zoning provisions that advance and protect
the health, safety and welfare of the community, and, in accordance
with the Town law of New York State, "to make provision for, so far
as conditions may permit, the accommodation of solar energy systems
and equipment and access to sunlight necessary therefor."
This chapter is adopted to advance and protect the public health,
safety, and welfare of the Town of Southport by creating regulations
for the installation and use of solar energy generating systems and
equipment, with the following objectives:
A.
To take advantage of a safe, abundant, renewable and nonpolluting
energy resource;
B.
To decrease the cost of electricity to the owners of residential
and commercial properties, including single-family houses;
C.
To increase employment and business development in the Town of Southport,
to the extent reasonably practical, by furthering the installation
of solar energy systems;
D.
To mitigate the impacts of solar energy systems on environmental
resources such as important agricultural lands, forests, wildlife
and other protected resources; and
E.
To create synergy between solar and objectives outlined in the Comprehensive
Plan at pp. 26-27.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A combination of solar panels and solar energy equipment
integrated into any building envelope system such as vertical facades,
semitransparent skylight systems, roofing materials, or shading over
windows, which produce electricity for on-site consumption.
Land, designated as "farmland of statewide importance" in
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)'s Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on
Web Soil Survey, that is of statewide importance for the production
of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops as determined by the
appropriate state agency or agencies. Farmland of statewide importance
may include tracts of land that have been designated for agriculture
by state law.
The effect by reflections of light with intensity sufficient
as determined in a commercially reasonable manner to cause annoyance,
discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility in any material
respects.
A solar energy system that is anchored to the ground via
a pole or other mounting system, detached from any other structure,
that generates electricity for on-site or off-site consumption.
Native wildflowers, forbs, and grasses that serve as habitat,
forage, and migratory way stations for pollinators and shall not include
any prohibited or regulated invasive species as determined by the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Bees, birds, bats, and other insects or wildlife that pollinate
flowering plants, and includes both wild and managed insects.
Land, designated as "prime farmland" in the U.S. Department
of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)'s
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database on Web Soil Survey, that
has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics
for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is
also available for these land uses.
A solar energy system located on the roof of any legally
permitted building or structure that produces electricity for on-site
or off-site consumption.
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade so
as to permit the use of active and/or passive solar energy systems
on individual properties.
Electrical material, hardware, inverters, conduit, storage
devices, or other electrical and photovoltaic equipment associated
with the production of electricity.
The components and subsystems required to convert solar energy
into electric energy suitable for use. The term includes, but is not
limited to, solar panels and solar energy equipment. The area of a
solar energy system includes all the land inside the perimeter of
the solar energy system, which extends to any interconnection equipment.
A solar energy system is classified as a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3
solar energy system as follows:
Tier 2 solar energy systems include ground-mounted solar energy
systems with system capacity up to 25 kW AC and that generate no more
than 110% of the electricity consumed on the site over the previous
12 months.
Tier 3 solar energy systems are systems that are not included
in the list for Tier 1 and Tier 2 solar energy systems.
A photovoltaic device capable of collecting and converting
solar energy into electricity.
A device that stores energy and makes it available in an
electrical form.
A.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all solar energy
systems permitted, installed, or modified in the Town of Southport
after the effective date of this chapter, excluding general maintenance
and repair.
B.
Solar energy systems constructed or installed prior to the effective
date of this chapter shall not be required to meet the requirements
of this chapter.
C.
Modifications to an existing solar energy system that increase the
solar energy system area by more than 5% of the original area of the
solar energy system (exclusive of moving any fencing) shall be subject
to this chapter.
D.
All solar energy systems shall be designed, erected, and installed
in accordance with all applicable codes, regulations, and industry
standards as referenced in the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code ("Building Code"), the NYS Energy Conservation Code ("Energy
Code"), and the Town of Southport Municipal Code.
A.
A building permit shall be required for installation of all solar
energy systems.
B.
The Planning Board is encouraged to condition its approval of proposed
developments on sites adjacent to solar energy systems so as to protect
their access to sufficient sunlight to remain economically feasible
over time.
C.
Issuance of permits and approvals by the Planning Board and Code
Enforcement Office shall include review pursuant to the State Environmental
Quality Review Act [ECL Article 8 and its implementing regulations
at 6 NYCRR Part 617 ("SEQRA")].
All Tier 1 solar energy systems shall be permitted in all zoning
districts and shall be exempt from site plan review under the local
zoning code or other land use regulation, subject to the following
conditions for each type of solar energy systems:
A.
Roof-mounted solar energy systems.
(1)
Roof-mounted solar energy systems shall incorporate, when feasible,
the following design requirements:
(a)
Solar panels on pitched roofs shall be mounted with a maximum
distance of eight inches between the roof surface the highest edge
of the system.
(b)
Solar panels on pitched roofs shall be installed parallel to
the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached.
(c)
Solar panels on pitched roofs shall not extend higher than the
highest point of the roof surface on which they are mounted or attached.
(d)
Solar panels on flat roofs shall not extend above the top of
the surrounding parapet, or more than 24 inches above the flat surface
of the roof, whichever is higher.
(2)
Glare: All solar panels shall have anti-reflective coating(s).
(3)
Height: All roof-mounted solar energy systems shall be subject to
the maximum height regulations specified for principal and accessory
buildings within the underlying zoning district.
B.
Building-integrated solar energy systems shall be shown on the plans
submitted for the building permit application for the building containing
the system.
All Tier 2 solar energy systems shall be permitted in all zoning
districts as accessory structures and shall be exempt from site plan
review under the local zoning code or other land use regulations,
subject to the following conditions:
A.
Glare: All solar panels shall have anti-reflective coating(s).
B.
Setbacks: Tier 2 solar energy systems shall be subject to the setback
regulations specified for the accessory structures within the underlying
zoning district. All ground-mounted solar energy systems shall only
be installed in the side or rear yards in residential districts.
C.
Height: Tier 2 solar energy systems shall be subject to the height
limitations specified for accessory structures within the underlying
zoning district.
D.
Screening and visibility.
(1)
All Tier 2 solar energy systems shall have views minimized from adjacent
properties to the maximum extent practicable.
(2)
Solar energy equipment shall be located in a manner to reasonably
avoid and/or minimize blockage of views from surrounding properties
and shading of property to the north, while still providing adequate
solar access.
E.
Lot size: Tier 2 solar energy systems shall comply with the existing
lot size requirement specified for accessory structures within the
underlying zoning district.
All Tier 3 solar energy systems are permitted through the issuance
of a special use permit within the Residential 1, 2, and 3, Agricultural
Residential, Commercial Neighborhood, Commercial Regional and Industrial
zoning districts, and subject to site plan application requirements
set forth in this section.
A.
Applications for the installation of Tier 3 solar energy system shall
be:
(1)
Reviewed by the Planning Board for completeness. Applicants shall
be advised within 30 business days from the submission date as to
the completeness of their application or any deficiencies that must
be addressed prior to substantive review.
(2)
Subject to a public hearing to hear all comments for and against
the application. The Town of Southport Planning Board shall require
a notice printed in the Town's selected publication at least
five days in advance of such hearing.
(3)
Referred to the Chemung County Planning Board pursuant to General
Municipal Law § 239-m.
B.
Underground requirements. All on-site utility lines shall be placed
underground to the extent feasible and as permitted by the serving
utility, with the exception of the main service connection at the
utility company right-of-way and any new interconnection equipment,
including without limitation any poles, with new easements and right-of-way.
C.
Vehicular paths. Vehicular paths within the site shall be designed
to minimize the extent of impervious materials and soil compaction.
D.
Signage.
(1)
No signage or graphic content shall be displayed on the solar energy
systems except the manufacturer's name, equipment specification
information, safety information, and twenty-four-hour emergency contact
information. Said information shall be depicted within an area no
more than two square feet.
(2)
As required by National Electric Code (NEC), disconnect and other
emergency shutoff information shall be clearly displayed on a light
reflective surface. A clearly visible warning sign concerning voltage
shall be placed at the base of all pad-mounted transformers and substations.
E.
Glare. All solar panels shall have anti-reflective coating(s).
F.
Lighting. Lighting of the solar energy systems shall be limited to
that minimally required for safety and operational purposes and shall
be reasonably shielded and downcast from abutting properties.
G.
Tree cutting. Removal of existing trees larger than six inches in
diameter should be minimized to the extent possible.
H.
Maintenance plan. Provide a maintenance plan of the proposed solar
installation to address maintenance of ground cover, landscaping/buffers,
fencing, etc. This maintenance plan shall be appropriate to maintain
the expected character of the area.
I.
Decommissioning.
(1)
Solar energy systems that have been abandoned and/or not producing electricity for a period of six months shall be removed at the owner and/or operator's expense and the site restored to preexisting conditions, which at the owner's option may come from any security made with the Town of Southport, as set forth in § 442-10B herein.
(2)
A decommissioning plan (see Appendix 2[1]) signed by the owner and/or operator of the solar energy
system shall be submitted by the applicant, addressing the following:
(a)
The cost of removing the solar energy system.
(b)
The time required to decommission and remove the solar energy
system any ancillary structures.
(c)
The time required to repair any damage caused to the property
by the installation and removal of the solar energy system and the
site restored to preexisting conditions.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 2 is included as an attachment
at the end of this chapter.
(3)
Security.
(a)
The deposit, executions, or filing with the Town Clerk of cash,
bond, or other form of security reasonably acceptable to the Town's
attorney, shall be in an amount sufficient to ensure the good faith
performance of the terms and conditions of the permit issued pursuant
hereto and to provide for the removal and restorations of the site
subsequent to removal. The amount of the bond or security shall be
125% of the cost of removal of the Tier 3 solar energy system and
restoration of the property with an escalator of 2% annually for the
life of the solar energy system. The Planning Board shall have the
discretion to reduce the decommissioning amount by the amount of the
estimated salvage value of the solar energy system.
(b)
In the event of default upon performance of such conditions,
after proper notice and expiration of any cure periods, the cash deposit,
bond, or security shall be forfeited to the Town, which shall be entitled
to maintain an action thereon. The cash deposit, bond, or security
shall remain in full force and effect until restoration of the property
as set forth in the decommissioning plan is completed.
(c)
In the event of default or abandonment of the solar energy system,
the system shall be decommissioned as set forth in § 422-10B
and C herein.
J.
Site plan application. For any solar energy system requiring a special
use permit, site plan approval shall be required. Any site plan application
shall include the following information:
(1)
Property lines and physical features, including roads, for the project
site.
(2)
Proposed changes to the landscape of the site, grading, vegetation
clearing and planting, exterior lighting, and screening vegetation
or structures.
(3)
A one- or three-line electrical diagram detailing the solar energy
system layout, solar collector installation, associated components,
and electrical interconnection methods, with all National Electrical
Code compliant disconnects and over current devices.
(4)
A preliminary equipment specification sheet that documents all proposed
solar panels, significant components, mounting systems, and inverters
that are to be installed. A final equipment specification sheet shall
be submitted prior to the issuance of building permit.
(5)
Name, address, and contact information of proposed or potential system
installer and the owner and/or operator of the solar energy system.
Such information of the final system installer shall be submitted
prior to the issuance of building permit.
(6)
Name, address, phone number, and signature of the project applicant,
as well as all the property owners, demonstrating their consent to
the application and the use of the property for the solar energy system.
(7)
Zoning district designation for the parcel(s) of land comprising
the project site.
(8)
Property operation and maintenance plan. Such plan shall describe
continuing photovoltaic maintenance and property upkeep, such as mowing
and trimming.
(9)
Erosion and sediment control and storm water management plans prepared
to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation standards,
if applicable, and to such standards as may be established by the
Planning Board.
(10)
Prior to the issuance of the building permit or final approval
by the Planning Board or Code Enforcement Office, but not required
as part of the application, engineering documents must be signed and
sealed by a New York State (NYS) licensed professional engineer or
NYS registered architect.
K.
Special use permit standards.
(1)
Lot size. The property on which the Tier 3 solar energy system is
placed shall meet the lot size requirements of the underlying zoning
district.
(2)
Setbacks. The Tier 3 solar energy systems shall comply with the setback
requirements of the underlying zoning district for principal structures.
(4)
Lot coverage.
(a)
The following components of a Tier 3 solar energy system shall
be considered included in the calculations for lot coverage requirements:
[1]
Foundation systems, typically consisting of driven piles or
monopoles or helical screws with or without small concrete collars.
[2]
All mechanical equipment of the solar energy system, including
any pad-mounted structure for batteries, switchboard, transformers,
or storage cells.
[3]
Paved access roads servicing the solar energy system.
(b)
Lot coverage of the solar energy system, as defined above, shall
not exceed the maximum lot coverage requirement of the underlying
zoning district.
(5)
Fencing requirements. All mechanical equipment, including any structure
for storage batteries, shall be enclosed by a seven-foot-high fence,
as required by NEC, with a self-locking gate to prevent unauthorized
access.
(6)
Screening and visibility.
(a)
Solar energy systems smaller than two 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.
(b)
Solar energy systems larger than two acres shall be required
to:
[1]
Conduct a visual assessment of the visual impacts of the solar
energy system on public roadways and adjacent properties. At a minimum,
a line-of-sight profile analysis shall be provided. Depending upon
the scope and potential significance of the visual impacts, additional
impact analyses, including for example a digital viewshed report,
shall be required to be submitted by the applicant.
[2]
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.
[a]
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
Zoning Ordinance.[3]
(7)
Agricultural resources. For projects located on agricultural lands:
(a)
Any Tier 3 solar energy system located on the areas that consist
of prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance shall not exceed
50% of the area of prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance
on the parcel.
(b)
Tier 3 solar energy systems on prime farmland or farmland of
statewide importance shall be required to seed an equivalent area
on the lot equal to 20% of the total solar panel surface area with
native perennial vegetation designed to attract pollinators.
(c)
To the maximum extent practicable, Tier 3 solar energy systems
located on prime farmland shall be constructed in accordance with
the construction requirements of the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets.
(d)
Tier 3 solar energy system owners 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.
To the extent practicable, when establishing perennial vegetation
and beneficial foraging habitat, the owners shall use native plant
species and seed mixes.
L.
Ownership changes. If the owner or operator of the solar energy system
changes or the owner of the property changes, the special use permit
shall remain in effect, provided that the successor owner or operator
assumes in writing all of the obligations of the special use permit,
site plan approval, and decommissioning plan. A new owner or operator
of the solar energy system shall notify the zoning enforcement officer
of such change in ownership or operator within 45 days of the ownership
change.
A.
Solar energy systems and solar energy equipment shall be certified
under the applicable electrical and/or building codes as required.
B.
Solar energy 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 local fire department
and, if the Tier 3 solar energy system is located in an ambulance
district, the local ambulance corps.
C.
If storage batteries are included as part of the solar energy system,
they shall meet the requirements of any applicable fire prevention
and building code when in use and, when no longer used, shall be disposed
of in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Town and any
applicable federal, state, or county laws or regulations.
A.
The special use permit and site plan approval for a solar energy
system shall be valid for a period of 18 months, provided that a building
permit is issued for construction. In the event construction is not
completed in accordance with the final site plan, as may have been
amended and approved, as required by the Town of Southport Planning
Board, within 18 months after approval, the applicant may request
an extension of time to complete construction for a maximum of 180
days. If the owner and/or operator fails to perform substantial construction
within that time period, the approvals shall expire. All site plan
approvals shall remain valid as otherwise outlined within the Town
of Southport Municipal Code.
B.
Upon cessation of electricity generation of a solar energy system
on a continuous basis for six months, the Town may notify and instruct
the owner and/or operator of the solar energy system to implement
the decommissioning plan. The decommissioning plan must be completed
within 360 days of notification.
C.
If the owner and/or operator fails to comply with decommissioning
upon any abandonment, the Town may, at its discretion, utilize the
bond and/or security for the removal of the solar energy system and
restoration of the site in accordance with the decommissioning plan.
Any violation of this chapter shall be subject to the same enforcement
requirements, including the civil and criminal penalties, provided
for in the zoning or land use regulations of the Town of Southport.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, subsection,
paragraph, sentence, clause, provision, or phrase of the aforementioned
sections, as declared by the valid judgment of any court of competent
jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other section, subsection, paragraph, sentence,
clause, provision, or phrase, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
