Town of Parkman
Solar Farm Ordinance
AMMENDED MARCH 16, 2024
Synopsis: Ordinance to allow solar farms subject to setback, height, screening, maintenance, safety, and decommissioning requirements, subject to Planning Board approval.
Whereas the Town of Parkman deems it in the best interest of its citizens to enact a Solar Farm Ordinance.
Now Therefore the Town of Parkman does ordain as follows:
Section 1. Title
This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Solar Farm Ordinance".
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of this Ordinance is to allow solar farms subject to setback, height, screening, maintenance, safety, and decommissioning requirements, subject to Planning Board approval.
Section 3. Applicability
This Ordinance shall apply to all Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems as described in Section 4 of this ordinance, applications filed with the Planning Board after March 18, 2023 and for site plan review pursuant to the Parkman Land Use Ordinance Section 5, B.
Section 4. Definitions
Solar Energy System: a facility whose primary purpose is to harvest energy by transforming solar energy into another form of energy or transferring heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means.
Ground Mounted Solar Energy. System: for purposes of this Ordinance: (a) a solar energy system that is structurally mounted to the ground; (b) has a physical size based on total airspace projected over the ground that is greater than 20,000 square feet; and (c) that is not directly connected to a Residential Structure.
Section 5. Application Fee
All applications subject to this ordinance will be required to pay a $5,000.00 application fee.
Section 6 Licensing
There will be an annual licensing fee of $3.00 per kilowatt based on the proposed or completed installation, whichever is greater, including any subsequent expansions. The license fee is due 1 year after application is approved by the Planning Board and by April 1st of subsequent years.
Section 7. Dimensional Requirements
Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems will not exceed 25 feet in height.
Minimum setbacks shall be subject to the Parkman Land Use Ordinance Section 4, B #3 Section 8. Screening, Security, Maintenance and Regulatory Compliance
A. Subject to the approval of the Parkman Planning Board, the lots on which Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems are located may be required to install a buffer from roads and residences with a natural barrier.
Section 9. Authority
This Ordinance is adopted pursuant to the enabling provisions of Article VIll, Part 2, Section 1 of the Maine Constitution, provisions of 30-A, M.R.S. 3001, Ordinance Power, and the provisions of 30-A, M.R.S. 4352, Zoning.
Section 10. Severability
Section 11. Effective Date and Duration
This Ordinance shall take effect on March 1 8, 2023 upon enactment by the Town of Parkman unless otherwise provided and shall remain in effect until it is amended or repealed.
Section 12. Enforcement Violations and Penalties
This Ordinance shall be enforced by the municipal officers or their designee. Violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions of 30-A, M.R.S. 4452, Enforcement of Land Use Laws and Ordinances.
