County considering zoning amendments for solar farms, wind turbines

POTTSVILLE – A public hearing is set for later this month for the county to consider amendments to its zoning ordinance and its subdivision and land development ordinance pertaining to solar farms and wind turbines.

The county commissioners will hold a hearing at 9am on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the commissioner’s boardroom at the courthouse, 401 North Second Street, Pottsville.

They are considering amending the zoning ordinance to set forth requirements pertaining to the development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems.

Also considered are amendments to the wind turbine provisions on the ordinance to include the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency as a recipient of any wind turbine emergency response plan.

The solar amendments would, as written, require a zoning permit for any solar energy system, including roof mounted panels, and defines what zoning district certain types of solar energy systems will be allowed in.

It also adds regulations for how solar energy systems can be installed and other regulations.

Similar provisions are being considered for the subdivision and land development ordinance.

The two ordinances guide development in municipalities that do not have their own zoning hearing board or planning commission.

The full proposed changes can be viewed here.

In the Sentinel‘s coverage area, the county handles zoning and land development in Ashland, Frackville, Girardville, Gilberton, Gordon, Mahanoy City, Union Township, North Union Township, and Barry Township. They also handle zoning in Delano Township.