SR - 2022-034 GMSOD 2022 3101
Town of Barnstable
Planning and Development Department
Staff Report
Amending and Expanding the Ground-Mounted
Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District
Town Council Item No. 2022-034
Date: March 10, 2022
To: Planning Board Members
From: Elizabeth Jenkins, AICP, Director of Planning and Development
Kate Maldonado, Assistant Director of Planning and Development
Jim Kupfer, AICP, Senior Planner
Update from the 12/13/2021, 1/7/2022, 2/9/2022, 2/28/2022 Staff Report
No new information provided. The Board continued the matter from 2/28/2022 so to have a full Board
discussion of the matter.
The Town of Barnstable seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance Section 240-44.2 Ground-Mounted Solar
Photovoltaic Overlay District, and to amend the Zoning Map to expand the Overlay District to three parcels
in Marstons Mills. This proposed zoning amendment consists of an amendment to the zoning map and an
amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance:
Zoning Map: The proposal is to expand the Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District
(GMSPOD) to include the properties located at 810 Wakeby Road, Marstons Mills (Assessors’ Map
013 Parcels 004, 005, 052).
Zoning Ordinance Text (attached): The proposal would amend the existing Ground-Mounted Solar
Photovoltaic Overlay District to require a Special Permit for large-scale ground-mounted solar
photovoltaic installations located within any residential district located within the overlay district
and would include provisions to address setbacks to mitigate noise impacts, hazardous materials,
solar glare, and other concerns.
At the February 14, 2022 Planning Board meeting, the Board directed staff to seek out and evaluate
qualified peer review engineers who may assist the Board in making an informed decision regarding
battery storage and to seek funding for that effort. Since that meeting staff has contacted several
organizations in the clean energy industry from universities, state level officials and private sector firms. Of
note, staff has reached out to an engineering firm who may be able to assist in the matter having recently
completed similar exercises with another municipality in Massachusetts. Staff has discussed a potential
scope of services with an engineering firm and is waiting to receive and review a scope and cost for the
Board’s consideration.
Next Steps
At this time the Board has a proposed zoning ordinance amendment before them. The Board may wish to
consider and discuss various options moving forward. The Board may wish to continue the matter to a date
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certain as the town works to procure peer review services and develop additional protocol for battery
storage. The Board, if undecided on battery storage may wish to consider the added measures for ground
mounted solar, and may request that staff amend the proposed ordinance to prohibit battery storage at
this time and bring forward the amendment with ground mounted solar amendments only for a
subsequent meeting to finalize. This path forward may also include continued exercise by staff to procure
peer review services and development of additional protocol for battery storage to be brought back to the
Planning Board at a later date for consideration. Lastly the Board may still request additional time for
consideration of the ordinance as drafted and continued to a date certain.
Procedural Information
Zoning amendments are processed in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 40A
Section 5. Notice of this public hearing was provided in accordance with all requirements of MGL 40A§5.
Additionally, the Town now offers e-mailed notice of public hearings on proposed zoning amendments by
request through the Town website. E-mailed notice of this hearing was provided.
The Planning Board must forward an advisory report with recommendations on the proposed zoning
amendment to the Town Council within 21 days after close of the Board’s hearing. The recommendation
of the Planning Board requires a simple majority of the Planning Board members present and voting.
Enclosed attachment
DRAFT Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District Ordinance (unchanged since
2/14/2022)