COVID-19: At the time of posting we anticipate that the hearing will proceed with social distancing and face covering required. This is subject to change as required. Please check our website: townofblandford.com for COVID-19 safety protocol changes.
Pursuant to MGL., CH. 40A, Sec. 11 the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing at the Blandford Town Hall, 1 Russell Stage Road, Blandford, MA 01008, on June 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM to present Zoning By-law Changes:
Article 21: To see if the Town will vote to amend Zoning By-law Section IV: PROVISIONS FOR DISTRICTS, Sub-Section 4.2: BUSINESS DISTRICT, Sub-Section 4.2.1; Sub-Section 4.2.1.9, by deleting:
Any additional use, which is not specifically prohibited or already requires a Special Permit from another Board, for which the Board of Selectmen may grant permission.
as contained therein and inserting in place thereof the following:
Any additional use, which is not specifically prohibited or already requires a Special Permit from another Board, for which the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant permission.
in accordance herewith, or take any other relative action thereto.
Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to amend Zoning By-law SECTION VIII: GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS, Section 8.1: PURPOSE, Sub-Section 8.1.2: Definitions, by deleting:
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION, LARGE SCALE GROUNDMOUNTED: a solar photovoltaic system that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof mounted and has a rated nameplate capacity greater than 250 KW DC.
as contained therein and inserting in place thereof the following:
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION, LARGE SCALLE GROUND MOUNTED: a solar photovoltaic system that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof mounted, and has a rated nameplate capacity greater than 250 kW DC or occupies more than 40,000 square feet of surface area.
or take any other relative action relative thereto.
Article 23: To see if the Town will vote to amend its Zoning By-law SECTION VIII: GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS, Sub-Section 8.1: PURPOSE, Sub-Section 8.1.2: Definitions, to insert the following new definitions in alphabetical order:
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION, MEDIUM SCALE GROUND MOUNTED: A solar photovoltaic system that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof mounted, and has a rated nameplate capacity between 10 kW DC and 250 kW DC, or occupies at least 1750 square feet and on more than 40,000 square feet of surface area.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION, SMALL, SCALE GROUND MOUNTED: A solar photovoltaic system that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof mounted, and has a rated nameplate capacity of less than 10 kW DC, or occupies less than 1750 square feet of surface area.
or take any other action relative.
Article 24: To see if the Town will vote to amend its Zoning By-law, SECTION VIII, GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS, Sub-Section 8.2: APPLICABILITY, Sub-Section 8.2.2 by deleting:
All Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations shall require a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval issued by the Planning Board in accordance with this section and Section IX.
as contained therein and inserting in place thereof the following:
All Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations shall require a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval Issued by the Planning Board in accordance with this Section and Section IX.
or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 25: To see if the Town will vote to amend its Zoning By-law SECTION VIII: GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS, Sub-Section 8.2: APPLICABILITY, to insert the following new Sub-Sections:
8.2.3 All Medium Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations shall require Site Plan approval issued by the Planning Board in accordance with this Section and Section IX.
8.2.4 All Small Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations with a maximum height of less than 9 feet shall require a building permit from the building inspector. Small Scale installations with a maximum height between 9 and 20 feet, in addition to a building permit shall require Site Plan approval issued by the Planning Board in accordance with this section and Section IX. Small Scale installations with a maximum height exceeding 20 feet tall shall require a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval issued by the Planning Board in accordance with this Section and Section IX.
or take any other action relative thereto.
Any person interested or wishing to be heard should appear at the time and place designated should email the Chairman here for potential call-in information. If unable to attend please submit comments, in writing, to the Blandford Planning Board at 1 Russell Stage Road, Blandford, MA 01008. Failure to make recommendations on the matter for review shall be deemed lack of opposition thereto. A copy of the proposed articles is available for review at the Blandford Post Office and Town Hall.
Richard Barnard, Sr., Chairman
Blandford Planning Board