Solar Bylaw Working Group

The charge of the Solar Bylaw Working Group (SBWG) is to develop a solar zoning bylaw and establish a clear process and guidelines to support the permitting, siting, and construction of solar projects, including battery storage, in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of community members, the environment, and natural resources. To develop the solar zoning bylaw, the SBWG will engage the community to ascertain community values, identify criteria and standards to be used in reviewing and permitting proposed solar installations including battery storage, and identify and prioritize locations for possible solar development, including large scale groundmount, roof-top, and parking lot canopies. 

Solar Bylaw Working Group Membership

Name Designation Term
Janet McGowan Planning Board May 31, 2023
Dwayne Breger, Chair Energy and Climate Action Comm. May 31, 2023
Laura Pagliarulo Conservation Commission May 31, 2023
Jack Jemsek Water Supply Protection Comm. May 31, 2023
Robert Brooks Resident May 31, 2023
Daniel Corkran Resident May 31, 2023
Martha Hanner, Vice Chair Resident May 31, 2023

The Solar Bylaw Working Group shall:

  • Review the Town-funded solar resource assessment that will identify and prioritize locations for solar installations including battery storage for possible solar development to guide and encourage responsible development of solar installations. The SBWG will help engage the community to ascertain community values, identify criteria and standards to be used in reviewing the bylaw, process, and guidelines.
  •  Establish a clear process and guidelines to support the siting, review, permitting, and construction of solar projects including battery storage in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of community members, the environment and natural resources, and
  • Develop a solar bylaw that will be transmitted to the Town Council and Planning Board for review. 

Reports: 

  • Provide a Solar Bylaw to the Town Council on or before May 31, 2023.
  • Provide a map showing sites in Amherst that are considered suitable for installation of large-scale ground-mounted solar arrays with a supporting narrative report based on the Town’s solar resource assessment.
  • Provide written process and guidelines to support the siting, permitting, and construction of solar projects.
  • All bylaws and reports are due on or before May 31, 2023

Charge Adopted: March 11, 2022