![[CREDIT: City of Warwick] A slide in City Planner Tom Kravitz's solar rules presentation showing a solar install at a California Walmart similar to the sort of Warwick solar use his changes will encourage.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Warwick-Solar-Rules-Council-Meeting-Oct.-18.png)
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
Traffic Study – Oakland Beach Planning Board Rec – RWR Real Estate Investment
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-26-21 One Way Signs Pequot Heron Overton @ Suburban Pkwy
PCO-24-21 No Parking Either Side Bay Avenue
PCO-23A-21 Zone Change Ordinance RWR (002)
PCO-23-21 No Parking Strand Avenue
21-5103-OF TS Results Stop Signs Leroy Ave
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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