In an area set aside for Agriculture (the Ag Reserve), this ZTA only protects areas in red from being taken out of farming for commercial solar generation. Solar generation yes, at the expense of growing food in the only area of the county set aside for it, no.
After three sessions in committee, ZTA 20-01 that would allow commercial solar on up to 3 square miles of the Agricultural Reserve with scant protections for productive soils, water quality and forests - is headed to the Council. The ZTA markup voted out of committee can be found here.
Council Legislative staffer Jeffrey Zyontz says that the full council will likely take this up by the end of September or early October. Members of the agricultural community and residents of the Agricultural Reserve who are not served by broadband (see:
Lack of Broadband Leaves Reserve Communities Behind in the Pandemic) and have limited cellular service have asked that this controversial matter be held until the public can participate meaningfully after the pandemic is more under control.
Your voice matters... the Council needs to hear from you on this issue, take two minutes to send them a letter now.
Concerns with this significant zoning change are broadly held and have not been properly addressed by council members or staff.
Lack of Broadband Leaves Reserve Communities Behind in the Pandemic) and have limited cellular service have asked that this controversial matter be held until the public can participate meaningfully after the pandemic is more under control.
Your voice matters... the Council needs to hear from you on this issue, take two minutes to send them a letter now.
Concerns with this significant zoning change are broadly held and have not been properly addressed by council members or staff.
Full Background on this issue is here.
Answering specific FAQs on this controversial issue:
-I support renewable energy, can you just give me the 2 minute synopsis on why this is such a big problem?
Yes, MCA does too. It is a matter of location and protections for the stated use of these lands - agriculture and open space protection. 2 minute synopsis right here.
- Why are local environmental groups divided on commercial Solar in the Ag Reserve?
-What are the protections in this ZTA for productive farm soils? (almost none)
-What are the established best practices on how a local government should handle siting of solar? Chesapeake Conservancy has a guide for Baltimore City + County.
-What do you mean by no protections for water quality?
The ZTA as approved by committee allows these arrays on up to 15% grades - a steep hill. Crops would not be planted on these grades under sediment management plans normally, disturbing the soil for mis-named "solar farms" would also result in sedimentation of streams and ultimately the Potomac. The Planning Department's own staff said that the siting of these arrays will protect "most of the wetlands" in rural areas (emphasis ours).
Answering specific FAQs on this controversial issue:
-I support renewable energy, can you just give me the 2 minute synopsis on why this is such a big problem?
Yes, MCA does too. It is a matter of location and protections for the stated use of these lands - agriculture and open space protection. 2 minute synopsis right here.
- Why are local environmental groups divided on commercial Solar in the Ag Reserve?
-What are the protections in this ZTA for productive farm soils? (almost none)
-What are the established best practices on how a local government should handle siting of solar? Chesapeake Conservancy has a guide for Baltimore City + County.
-What do you mean by no protections for water quality?
The ZTA as approved by committee allows these arrays on up to 15% grades - a steep hill. Crops would not be planted on these grades under sediment management plans normally, disturbing the soil for mis-named "solar farms" would also result in sedimentation of streams and ultimately the Potomac. The Planning Department's own staff said that the siting of these arrays will protect "most of the wetlands" in rural areas (emphasis ours).
