Warwick Solar Rules on Monday’s City Council Agenda

WARWICK, RI — Monday’s Warwick City Council meeting will discuss revised Warwick solar rules in an ordinance updated by Warwick City Planner Tom Kravitz, as residents push for a solar moratorium.

While Kravitz’s changes address concerns people raised about residential and open space sitings of solar arrays, many at an Oct. 6 workshop expressed their desire for a moratorium until a more comprehensive solar ordinance can be drafted. Land Trust member Michael Zarum expressed that view in a recent letter to the editor, also sent to Mayor Frank Picozzi.

In June, the Warwick Planning Department delivered a recommendation on updates to Warwick’s solar ordinance to create a standard review process for the siting of Solar Energy Systems (SESs) and Energy Storage Facilities (ESFs). Right now, “Warwick Zoning Ordinance does not include general definitions, specific use designations, performance standards, or approval processes relating to the siting of Solar Energy Systems or Energy Storage Facilities either as a principal or accessory use. To date, proposals for principal use solar have been managed within the framework of the existing zoning ordinance, which defines all principal use solar systems as an Electric Power Plant under use Code 608. “Energy storage facility” is currently undefined and, therefore, requires the Building Official to determine the appropriate use code for classification,” according to the June memo to the Warwick City Council.

During the workshop, Kravitz advised that an improved, yet imperfect ordinance would be better than the current situation, since developers are less restricted without the improved rules, and could still challenge the new ordinance regardless of additional changes.

Kravitz: New Solar Ordinance Restricts Residential Use

Solar Workshop: Kravitz Takes Constructive Input

Materials for Monday’s meeting, including those regarding the solar ordinance, are embedded at the following links:

10-18-2021 Regular Business Regular Public Hearing Amended Docket

PCO-6-20 (Sub B) Solar Ordinance

Solar Ordinance_ZC Council Memo_6_2021 (003)

Solar Overlay Ordinance Memo PCO-6-20 Sub B 8-30-2021

Bid Package 10-18-2021

Traffic Study – Oakland Beach Planning Board Rec – RWR Real Estate Investment

PCR-134-21 Bids 10-18-2021

PCR-133-21 Res. approving warwick submission to DEM Recreation Grant Pro…

PCR-131-21 Res. Erecting a 3 Way Stop Sign Edgehill Brewster

PCR-130-21 Res. to Remove No Parking Signs on Miantonomo

PCR-97-20 Res. Re. Cooper Bldg. Ratification

PCO-32-21 Ord. No Parking Either Side on Angell Ct Narragansett Bay Ave…

PCO-28-21 Tow Zone Stender

PCO-26-21 One Way Signs Pequot Heron Overton @ Suburban Pkwy

PCO-25-21 Tow Zone Boat Ramp

PCO-24-21 No Parking Either Side Bay Avenue

PCO-23A-21 Zone Change Ordinance RWR (002)

PCO-23-21 No Parking Strand Avenue

Cooper Bldg Lease

21-5103-OF TS Results Stop Signs Leroy Ave