Green Communities Act: Asofright Siting

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Green Communities ActAs-of-right Siting

• November 5, 2009
• Lauren Gaherty
• Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
• lgaherty_at_berkshireplanning.org

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What is a Green Community?

• Meet the 5 Criteria
• As-of-right siting for renewable energy
  generation, manufacturing or RD
• Expedited application/permitting process
• Establish energy baseline and a program to reduce
  use by 20 in 5 years
• Policy to purchase fuel-efficient vehicles
• Adopt the Building Stretch Code

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What Does As-of-Right Mean?

• A use is allowed as-of-right or by-right
• Building Permit only, or
• Building Permit with Site Plan Review
• No special permit is required
• No discretionary approvals are needed
• In Berkshire typically low density residential,
  agriculture, and sometimes commercial or
  industrial

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Renewable Energy Generation
Jiminy Peak, 1.5 MW
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Brockton Brightfields, 435 kW
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Overlay Districts

• Overlay Districts
• Zoning district superimposed over one or more
  established zones
• Ex. - upland protection, drinking water
  protection, economic development
• Choose areas in town that make sense may
  include
• Current zoning
• Technical potential (water sewer, road or rail
  access, proximity to transmission lines)
• Parcel size and development potential
• Neighboring uses
• Away from environmental constraints

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Development Criteria

• Set Protective Standards
• Protect neighboring uses
• Avoid sensitive environments
• Est. setback and buffers
• Site Plan Review
• Project review by designated municipal board
• Main objective is to ensure compliance with
  zoning and standards
• May impose reasonable conditions to mitigate
  adverse impacts

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Adding or Updating Bylaws

• Do you allow commercial / industrial uses
  by-right? Could simply add renewables
• Update use list to add renewables
• Add design standards (optional)
• Alter procedures (no special permits)
• If not, you may need a bylaw amendment

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BRPC Technical AssistanceGreen
CommunitiesandGrant Support
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BRPC Energy Program

• Programs/Support for Municipalities
• Energy audit program
• Regional energy baseline study
• Grant writing support
• Now Energy Efficiency Conservation Block
  Grants
• Future Energy performance contracting
• Green Communities Technical Assistance
• Purpose help Berkshire communities map course
  for Green Community status

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Green Communities Technical Assistance Program

• BRPC and CET project partners
• 14 Municipalities
• 3 Subregions
• Goal 14 Green Community Action Plans

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Who will be involved from each municipality?

• Green Community Task Force
• Select Board
• Planning Board
• Green / Energy Committee
• Town Manager/Administrator
• Facility Manager
• Building Inspector

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Task Force Roles Responsibilities

• Serve as liaisons from their group
• Attend three meetings after tonight
• Mtg 1 Stretch Code (CET)
• Mtg 2 Baseline/Fleet (BRPC / CET)
• Mtg 3 As-of-Right/Expedited Permitting (BRPC)
• One meeting per month (3 months total)
• 2nd Thursday of the month, 630 pm
• Help with implementation

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Technical Assistance Schedule For the
Subregions
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Questions ? ?

• BRPC Contact Information
• 442-1521
• Lauren Gaherty lgaherty_at_berkshireplanning.org
• Amy Kacala, akacala_at_berkshireplanning.org