The agenda for this meeting was amended on February 3^rd to include to introduce an amendment to the town's zoning code §280-40(U) Solar Energy System and to schedule a public hearing for its review. 

This amendment is largely in response to the deficiencies in the code uncovered by the proposed Dunnsville Road Solar Farm that threatens the Helderberg viewshed and public educational events like GCRG Alternative and Renewable Energy Public Forum and Discussion and the Sensible Solar Summit in Duanesburg.

Section 280-40(U) Solar Energy System is the part of the code that provides for "for the siting, development, and decommissioning of solar energy systems subject to reasonable conditions to reduce potential impacts to adjoining properties while promoting development of renewable energy resources."

The Town Board tentatively set public hearing date for Tuesday, March 3, 2020 for the proposed law and requested that any initial comments be delivered to the town by the Noon on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

They requested these initial comments quickly so they can make any changes as may be required now before the proposed law is sent for reviewed to the Guilderland and Albany County Planning Boards which needs to be done before the public hearing. The Albany County Planning Board actually needs to review the proposal before a public hearing can be held.  That public hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

For the text of this proposed law and more details see: Guilderland Town Board Proposes Enhancements to Zoning Code for Industrial Solar Arrays (Solar Farms) 

Please send any substantive comments and suggestions on these amendments to each of the Town Board members for their review at the following email addresses.

Town Supervisor Peter Barber: barberp@togny.org
Councilwoman Pat Slavick: slavickp@togny.org
Councilman Paul Pastore: pastorep@togny.org
Councilwoman Rosemary Centi: centir@togny.org
Councilwoman Laurel Bohl: bohll@togny.org

The Guilderland Coalition for Responsible Growth hosted a Public Forum and Discussion about alternative and renewable energy with a focus on solar farms at the Guilderland Public Library on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

As we all know, there is increased development in the entire area with respect to Solar Energy as evidenced by what is happening in Guilderland and neighboring towns.  Our intent was to openly discuss this topic in an effort to be more educated and aware of various alternatives before they become contentious as they have been for other towns.

The image below is a picture of a slide in Dr. Richard Perez's presentation at the Sensible Solar Summit in Duanesburg held the week before.