Family of Woodstock’s plans for a solar electricity array to provide electricity for their operations has hit a roadblock based on an anomaly in the Saugerties zoning law. The Town of Saugerties Planning Board is holding off consideration of the project until the legal implications are clarified, Chairman Howard Post said at the board’s regular meeting on January 19.
The planned array at 454 Washington Avenue Ext. is within the recreational business district, said the board’s planning consultant Adriana Beltrani. “While some zoning districts in the Town of Saugerties may require a special permit review and others simply a site plan review for solar electricity arrays, there are no indications of whether this is permitted or prohibited on the bulk table of this zoning district,” said Beltrani. “It’s the only district in the use table where that is the case.”
Beltrani said she has spoken to building inspector Alvah Weeks and to attorney George Redder, and they agreed that further study is needed to determine whether the solar array is permitted in this zoning district.
Planning Board Chairman Howard post said the board’s attorney is researching the matter, and the board will hold off on any further action until the concern is resolved.
Paul McNenemy, the CEO of Solar Generation said he agrees with the decision but wanted to lay out some facts about the proposal. “Family of Woodstock owns the land, and the solar array is for their benefit, to power their meters across the county through remote net metering, and this is to actually save money for the charity.”
“I think you’re probably aware, we’re solar friendly,” Post said.
“I know, we’ve done a couple of projects with you guys, and I hope you think we’re friendly too,” McNenemy replied.
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