Draft Solar Project Zoning Plan Faces Tuesday Night Public Hearing

Standards for large solar panel projects in Westborough would be set if voters pass a proposed zoning change next month.

The Oct. 15 fall special town meeting draft warrant article, found here, proposes requiring large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations to have site plan review.

The planning board holds a public hearing on the draft zoning change at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Forbes Municipal Building.

Projects would face front, side and rear yard setback requirements: at least 25 feet, but at least 100 feet if abutting a conservation, recreation, residential district or residential use.

Additional screening and other measures may be required, the proposal states. The owner or operator also must remove the structure within 150 days after decommissioning it, the proposal states.

The proposal addresses "large footprint, ground-mounted solar arrays in general," planning Chairman Lester Hensley says.

Last week, Harvey's Farm presented such a plan to the board of appeals,

"To the extent that the disposition of Jim Harvey's proposed project will be decided before town meeting, it may have no bearing," Hensley says of the proposed zoning change.