Public Hearing Held on Proposed Solar Energy Moratorium For Town of Homer – Awaiting County Review Prior to Vote

A public hearing was held at Wednesday night’s Homer Town Board meeting on a proposed local law that would establish a six-month moratorium on solar, wind, and battery storage in the Town of Homer.

It aims to keep these energy systems and storage out of unsuitable areas in the town, Supervisor Michael Park said.

“The purpose of this law is to maintain the status quo as to certain energy production and storage usage, mainly the commercial installation of major solar energy systems, green energy systems, battery storage banks and similar energy storage equipment,” the law reads.

The moratorium would stop the processing of applications for permits, certificates of occupancy and approvals for land use, or the installation of major solar energy systems, it says.

The moratorium would allow the Town Board to analyze and make appropriate revisions and amendments to the town’s zoning laws. Without the pause, these energy systems may end up in unsuitable locations in Homer, Park said.

“There are two projects that are ongoing,” he said. “Anything that’s been permitted at this point continues, but the state overrides on the big projects… If you want something in your home, this isn’t to prevent that.”

The proposed law can’t be voted on yet, because it has to be reviewed at the county level first, Parks said.

The Town Board also unanimously approved a local law that would allow them to override the tax levy limit.

“The village is probably going to do the same thing,” Mayor Pat Clune said. “It’s an insurance measure for us, as we are still figuring things out, given the significant reductions we are seeing from the county.”

Clune also clarified that passing this law doesn’t mean the override is going to happen, but it gives the board the flexibility to override it if necessary.

Also at the meeting, a new Deputy Clerk was sworn in. Lindsey VanHubert, a Homer native, starts the role Tuesday.

After living in Maryland a few years, she decided to move her family back to Homer. She also serves on the Village Garden Club.

“I was working in Ithaca, but I wanted to find a job that was more community-focused, and also closer to home,” VanHubert said.