[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Improved coverage requirements. Stand-alone solar energy systems shall not be included in calculations for lot coverage or impervious cover as defined in Appendix A, Definitions.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 30A-1.
2. 
Design.
(a) 
Visual impacts. Reasonable efforts, as determined by the Planning Board, shall be made to minimize visual impacts.
(b) 
Height requirements. Rooftop solar energy systems may extend up to 18 inches above the roof, and shall not count toward the maximum heights permitted in Part 2.
(c) 
Utility connections. Reasonable efforts, as determined by the Board, shall be made to place all utility connections from solar photovoltaic installation underground, depending on appropriate soil conditions, shape, and topography of the site and any requirements of the utility provider. Electrical transformers for utility interconnections may be above ground if required by the utility provider.
(d) 
Safety. All means of shutting down the solar installation shall be clearly marked and located as close to any means of pedestrian or vehicular access as is practicable.
(e) 
Placement. Solar energy systems shall maintain a three-foot buffer from all nearby features. No solar energy system shall be placed on a roof in such a way as to cause the shedding of ice or snow from the roof onto a porch, stairwell, pathway or driveway.
(f) 
Emergency access. Solar energy systems shall be located in such a manner as to ensure emergency access. Solar energy systems shall provide pathways no less than four feet wide. Roof-mounted systems shall include accessways to the rooftop installation; such pathways shall be located at structurally strong locations, such as load-bearing walls.
3. 
Submission requirements.
(a) 
As part of a submission, the applicant shall provide drawings showing all nearby features and a three-foot buffer around the solar energy system. Heights of solar energy equipment shall be provided, and when equipment is part of a rooftop installation, the height from the finished surface of the roof shall also be provided.
4. 
Decommission.
(a) 
Any solar energy system which has reached the end of its useful life, or has been abandoned through lack of use over a one-year period, shall be removed. The owner or operator shall physically remove the installation no more than 150 days after the date of discontinued operations. The owner or operator shall notify the Board by certified mail of the proposed date of discontinued operations and plans for removal. Decommissioning shall consist of:
(1) 
Physical removal of all solar energy systems, structures, equipment, security barriers and transmission lines from the site.
(2) 
Disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local, state, and federal waste disposal regulations.
(3) 
Stabilization or revegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion. The Board may allow the owner or operator to leave landscaping or designated below-grade foundations in order to minimize erosion and disruption to vegetation.
(b) 
Notification. No grid-intertie photovoltaic system shall be installed until evidence has been given to the Board that the owner has submitted notification to the utility company of the customer's intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator.
b. 
Exceptions. The above incentives and allowances shall not apply to buildings within an historic district.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Skylights, clerestories or other daylighting devices are permitted, provided that they do not exceed four feet in height, as measured from the finished level of the roof. Such devices may occupy no more than 10% of the roof surface, and shall be located at least eight feet from the face of the street wall. Such devices shall not be permitted above roofs with a slope greater than 20°.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Awnings and other sun-control devices located above the first story (excluding any basement) shall project no more than two feet six inches from the building wall, and may extend beyond the build-to line or into side and rear yards.
2. 
Awnings on buildings with a build-to line of less than two feet six inches may hang above the public right-of-way. The vertical clearance from the public right-of-way for any awning (including valances) shall be a minimum of eight feet.
3. 
Awnings and sun-control devices shall have solid surfaces that, in aggregate, cover an area no more than 30% of the facade (as viewed in elevation) from which they project.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Wind-energy conversion systems are permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts, subject to the following standards:
(a) 
Such systems must be located on the premises.
(b) 
All facilities must be mounted on an existing structure; freestanding systems are not permitted.
(c) 
Horizontal axis systems shall be prohibited.
(d) 
Height, as measured from the top of the system, may be permitted to extend 20 feet above the maximum height permitted in the zone.
(e) 
Such systems shall be sited in a manner that prevents shadowing or flicker impacts beyond the property line.
(f) 
Noise at the property line shall not exceed 50 decibels.
(g) 
No lighting is permitted unless to comply with other regulations.
(h) 
Such systems shall be painted a neutral nonreflective color.
(i) 
If such systems have been unused or inoperable for 12 months, they will be considered abandoned, and therefore must be removed within 90 days.
2. 
Exceptions to these standards may be considered for approval through a conditional use permit, if the Town, at its sole discretion determines that sufficient evidence exists demonstrating there will be no effects detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare, or public interest.
b. 
Exceptions. The above incentives and allowances shall not apply to buildings within an historic district.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Vegetated roofs shall be permitted, provided that they do not exceed 42 inches in height, as measured from the finished level of the roof, and shall not be regulated by maximum building heights. Buildings incorporating green or vegetated roofs shall be permitted a decrease in their improved coverage of 1/4 foot for every square foot of green roof coverage.
b. 
Exceptions. The above incentives and allowances shall not apply to buildings within an historic district.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
Ground-mounted gray water systems shall not count towards improved coverage.
[Ord. No. O-25-2018, 7-12-2018; amended 8-8-2023 by Ord. No. O-11-2023]
a. 
Requirements.
1. 
When the use of renewable, recycled and low VOC materials necessitates an increase in bulk compared to the use of traditional building techniques, buildings shall be permitted a maximum of eight inches thickness of exterior walls and roofs which shall not be counted against yard requirements, building coverage requirements or height requirements.