WENY News - Chemung Co. Planning Board tables discussion on 2 local battery

Chemung Co. Planning Board tables discussion on 2 local battery storage laws

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Chemung County Planning Board did not review a controversial battery storage law in the Town of Elmira and a zoning amendment related to battery storage in the Town of Veteran at their meeting Thursday.

Over the past few months, the Town of Elmira has been considering a controversial solar site and battery storage project. The plans involve two sites, one on a 25-acre parcel at 200 West Hill Road, and another on Hillcrest Road, consisting of 43 acres. The proposal has faced public opposition over potential safety concerns.

Last week Carson Power, the developer behind the project, decided not to move forward with the battery storage component from their plans for the community solar project.

In light of that decision, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss wrote a letter to the chair of the Chemung County Planning Board, which was read aloud at Thursday's meeting, asking members to table discussion on Elmira's battery storage law until the Town submits a new project proposal to the county. The board did table the zoning referral in a unanimous vote.

"I think he did the right thing by... having us table the program for the county and do more research on it," said Joseph Coletta, chair of the Chemung County Planning Board.

The Planning Board also tabled a zoning referral by the Town of Veteran, arguing because they tabled Elmira's, it would be fair to do the same to that policy. A Town of Veteran board member fought back on that decision saying, "I would hope that this board would review ours and move forward on it because it is not the same situation as the other request, and the (Chemung County) Executive did not ask you to table this. It does damage to the Town of Veteran if you table this."

Town officials told the board that they will lose their moratorium on battery storage sites next week. They also contended that their version of the battery storage law is not as extreme as Elmira's in terms of wattage allowed to be stored at sites.

The Chemung County Planning Commissioner told Veteran officials that they are allowed to go against the Planning Board's decision if they deem it necessary.

Moving forward, Chemung County wants to develop a county-wide policy regarding new solar sites and battery storage facilities, in order to give municipalities a framework to follow.

However, the Chemung County Planning Board did recommend the Town of Big Flats continue with amendments to its solar law at Thursday's meeting. Officials say the new language aims to make the solar ordinance more flexible, specifically where panels are placed.

The measure will now go back to Big Flats to be approved. The amendment will apply to all future solar sites, and battery storage is still not allowed in the town.

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