Public Meeting, Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 7:00 Pm Town Hall

Town of Cornwall
Public Meeting Notice
Cornwall Town Hall
Thursday, September 3, 2015
7:00 PM
Discussion Topic: Interim Bylaw Regarding Screening and Siting Requirements for Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Generation Plants located in the Town of Cornwall, Vermont

1. Authority; Implementation

A. This interim Bylaw is enacted pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §§ 2291(28), 4414(15), and 4415.

B. In accordance with 24 V.S.A. §§ 2291(28)(A), 4414(15)(A) and 4415, this interim Bylaw is intended to be no more restrictive of ground-mounted solar electricity generation plants than the screening requirements governing new commercial development in Cornwall.

C. The Cornwall Select Board is hereby designated as the municipal body to make recommendations to the Public Service Board applying this Bylaw to ground-mounted solar electricity generation plants.

D. This interim Bylaw has been adopted by the Town of Cornwall due to the sudden changes wrought by Act 56 of the Vermont Legislature in the 2015 session and to set forth a clear, written community standard regarding the aesthetics of ground mounted photovoltaic systems. Act 56 will require a careful re-writing of sections of the Town Plan and study of Cornwall’s role in the state’s development of ground-mounted photovoltaics as a renewable energy source. This interim Bylaw, adopted as an emergency measure, shall be in effect for two years from the date of its adoption by the Cornwall Select Board, or for such extended term as may be allowed by 24 V.S.A. § 4415, while the Cornwall Select Board and Planning Commission study the issue of ground mounted solar screening, siting, and setbacks in the Town. The Cornwall Select Board is adopting this interim Bylaw in order to protect the general welfare of Cornwall residents and land owners and to provide for orderly physical and economic growth within the Town.

2. Definitions

3. Screening Requirements

4. Set Backs

5. Decommissioning

6. Good Neighbor Policy

7. Waiver

8. Severability

9. Effective Date: This interim Bylaw shall become effective upon the affirmative vote of the majority of the Cornwall Select Board, subject to the notice and public hearing requirements of 24 V.S.A. §4444.

The geographic area affected by this proposed ordinance is the Town of Cornwall. The full text of the interim by-law is available at the Town Clerk’s office or on the town’s website at www.cornwallvt.com. You may call Ben Wood, Selectboard Chair at 462-3216 or Ben Marks, Selectboard Member at 462-3536 with questions about the Interim By-law.