Evans Banks Planning Ltd’s Post

🌞 New Ordinances Shifting Pennsylvania's Solar Future – Are You Ready? The rise of local solar ordinances in PA means significant changes for solar development projects. As municipalities implement their own regulations, developers must navigate a complex landscape of approval requirements. Here's what I've observed first-hand: - D𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: based on zoning district, setbacks, slopes, soil class, existing land use, etc. - 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: specific access, fencing, screening, and stormwater management design requirements - 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 S𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀: Expect to do noise and glare studies, create site specific emergency response and decommissioning plans - 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: local voices have more power to stop projects if concerns are not addressed To stay ahead, it’s crucial to stay informed and work closely with local authorities. Meeting these new regulations and addressing community concerns is key to keeping your solar plans on track in Pennsylvania. Are you ready to tackle these new challenges in PA’s solar scene? Let’s chat about it! 🗣️ #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Permitting #Zoning #CommunityEngagement

Are you encountering challenges with community acceptance, neighbor consent, and council permit approvals crucial for your solar projects, particularly on land near residential or industrial areas? We offer a solution: The PEG® addresses these challenges effectively with the following features: Low profile racking - Significantly reduces visual impact (height ~1m (~3.3ft) above ground) - Easily blends into the environment - Easily concealed by low profile vegetation Shallow foundation - Shallow foundation of less than 0.8m (2.6ft) without concrete - Reduces council permitting and environmental risks - Reduces risks of landlord’s refusal due to fears of decommissioning at the end of project life #PEGEW #JT #JurchenTechnology

The recent government announcement on the redesignation of some green belt areas into ‘grey belt’ areas promises to unlock new opportunities for landowners. This hopes to address the housing shortage issues by targeting unattractive or poor-quality green belt land for development. With the potential for reforms to speed up the planning process and the introduction of additional planning officers, navigating the problems of planning may become easier. For more information, please see our most recent blog written by David Williams. https://lnkd.in/ex3tCHJT #HousingDevelopment #LandDevelopment #PlanningReform

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials have revealed the finalized plans for the city's inaugural trio of solar neighborhoods, with construction slated to commence in spring. These solar installations, situated in Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair, are projected to generate 21 megawatts of renewable energy, sufficient to power 127 municipal buildings. The initiatives will also feature community gardens and food production beneath the solar panels in two of the neighborhoods. The solar arrays are anticipated to supply renewable energy to municipal structures while offering local urban farmers the chance to oversee the agricultural aspects. Nevertheless, some residents have expressed apprehensions regarding land use and the availability of open spaces in areas that have historically experienced disinvestment. Concerns have been raised about whether the advantages will be equitably shared or if the projects might worsen existing disparities. Mayor Duggan underscored the commitment to avoid affecting owner-occupied homes during the neighborhood selection process. The solar initiatives are expected to deliver economic development opportunities and energy efficiency enhancements to homeowners residing within the community benefits areas surrounding the projects. https://buff.ly/49L4sem

“Community Solar Is a Public Utility: Third Department Orders Town Zoning Board to Approve Solar Array Under the Public Utility Standard”—Learn more in this Land Use & Zoning alert authored by Corey Auerbach, Land Use & Zoning Practice Area chair; Ari Goldberg, counsel; and Dan Krzykowski, associate. Click here to read the alert: https://lnkd.in/g3JmSxTW #Alert #LandUseAndZoning #ThirdDepartment #TownZoning #CLCPA #FreePointSolarLLC

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials have revealed the finalized plans for the city's inaugural trio of solar neighborhoods, with construction slated to commence in spring. These solar installations, situated in Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair, are projected to generate 21 megawatts of renewable energy, sufficient to power 127 municipal buildings. The initiatives will also feature community gardens and food production beneath the solar panels in two of the neighborhoods. The solar arrays are anticipated to supply renewable energy to municipal structures while offering local urban farmers the chance to oversee the agricultural aspects. Nevertheless, some residents have expressed apprehensions regarding land use and the availability of open spaces in areas that have historically experienced disinvestment. Concerns have been raised about whether the advantages will be equitably shared or if the projects might worsen existing disparities. Mayor Duggan underscored the commitment to avoid affecting owner-occupied homes during the neighborhood selection process. The solar initiatives are expected to deliver economic development opportunities and energy efficiency enhancements to homeowners residing within the community benefits areas surrounding the projects. https://buff.ly/49L4sem

Energy in every corner. KWRE’s 20 MW Pilesgrove Solar Project shows that rural landscapes are the perfect stage for renewable energy growth in the Northeast.

EECBG (Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants) funding is hitting the Midwest. There are formula and competitive funds. If your community is eligible for formula funds, there are 5 months left to grab them. Check out this report from MCC Member, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, on how Midwest communities are putting these funds to work!

Just published: National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Great to see the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in the framework. But..... more importantly......... For the first time it includes the following under the identification of land for homes - seek opportunities, through policies and decisions, to support small sites to come forward for community-led development for housing and self-build and custom build housing. And goes on to say - Local planning authorities should support the development of exception sites for community-led development Great news! #coophousing