Purpose—Large-scale, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility
(a) The purpose of this section is to promote the development of large-scale solar photovoltaic facilities (SPF) to promote sustainable renewable energy options through the use of such equipment as solar photovoltaic cells. This section applies to large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this section. This section is also intended to promote the development of SPFs on properties that have been identified and confirmed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) as hazardous waste contamination sites, in order to catalyze property remediation, to provide an economic use for an otherwise developmentally-challenged property, and to direct solar energy systems away from forested areas, prime agricultural lands, and properties with high intrinsic value under another use scenario.
(b) An SPF large-scale, solar photovoltaic facility shall be a permitted use on property owned by the Town of Bristol, which is both zoned OS and the site of a capped landfill, subject to review and approval by the planning board as a land development project (LDP). An SPF shall also be a specially permitted use when located on a remediated and restricted contamination site, or a contaminated site pending remediation, as a major land development project and requiring a special use permit by the zoning board.
(c) The construction and operation of all large-scale solar photovoltaic installations shall be reviewed in accordance with the procedures and standards of section 28-282. The land proposed for the SPF is owned by the Town of Bristol or on a remediated and restricted contamination site, or a contaminated site pending remediation and an SPF shall not be approved unless the applicant(s) has/have executed a contingent sale (based on an SPF being approved) or an executed long-term lease (ten years or more) for all the property composing the proposed SPF. The board shall impose any reasonable conditions they find appropriate to improve the site design. The underlying zoning of the site shall stay in effect. In addition, electrical, plumbing and/or building permits from the building department shall be required.
(d) Pre-application conference. The applicant shall have at least one pre-application conference with the director of the department of community development, "director". The director as administrative officer, may invite the director of public works, town engineer, fire chief, building official, zoning officer, and any other party deemed to be appropriate to the pre-application review.
(Ord. No. 2019-07, 6-26-19; Amend. of 1-27-21)