Dear neighbors,
Tomorrow night is our only opportunity to meet and discuss the Solar Energy Systems zoning amendment that we will vote on at March’s Town Meeting. This amendment has been the focus of our tireless Planning Board for many months, and is now ready for public input. The meeting is at 7 p.m. on January 11 at the Town Office, and is also accessible via zoom.
Here’s the amendment https://www.lymenh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4636/f/uploads/solar_energy_systems_draft_for_web.pdf
Lyme very badly needs to increase the amount of solar energy that it generates, and most respondents to a survey sent out by the Planning Board recently support this.
There are a couple of potential weakness in the amendment, though, which need more discussion. In general, they are all requirements that could seriously discourage the development of solar here:
1) A Large Solar Energy System may not not located on a site which has an area of over an acre that has been clear cut within the last 5 years.
This prohibition is quite selective, as it does not apply in any other instance of clear-cutting for another purpose. Solar arrays are singled out.
2) Medium and Large Solar Energy Systems may be allowed only if at least 60% of the power generated by each SES will be sold for use at properties in Lyme.
This seems unenforceable, given how our power systems draw on so many different sources.
3) All power and communication lines (both on-site and off-site) serving a Ground-mounted Solar Energy System shall be buried underground.
The amendment already requites installations to be “visually unobtrusive.” This additional requirement would add a significant cost to development.
We all need to reflect on the specifics of this important amendment, as we come together to discuss them tomorrow night.
Thanks for your time.
Jan Williams
jlwlyme@icloud.com