Development standards

[Amended 12-11-2023 by Ord. No. 920-I]

The following standards shall apply to all applications:

• A. Accessory solar energy system installation. Except as prohibited pursuant to § 260-122A(1), an accessory system installation is permitted in all other zones, provided such solar installation:
  • (1) Shall meet all applicable zone requirements, including, but not limited to, lighting, setbacks, signage, and height; and
  • (2) Shall require a building permit after submission and approval of layout and design. Any memorandum of lease, easement, or utility agreements must also be submitted for review, and shall be recorded in land evidence in the Town of East Greenwich upon approval; and
  • (3) Shall be in compliance with RI State Building Code and the RI State Electrical Code; and
  • (4) Where applicable, shall have gained approval by the Historic District Commission.
• B. Major and minor solar energy system installations. Major and minor system installations shall be allowed in the CH, M/LI-O, PD, and MUPD Zones. Such installations shall not be permitted in any other zones and shall be subject to the following:
  • (1) Minor solar system installations shall require Minor Land Development approval.
  • (2) Major solar system installations shall require Major Land Development approval from the Planning Board.
  • (3) All major and minor system installations shall adhere to the following:
    • (a) Design standards. Major and minor system installation applications shall include the proposed site layout and any landscape changes, a diagram of electrical components, a description of the system components to be used, an operation and maintenance plan, a decommission plan, proof of liability insurance, the contact information for the project contractors, and utility approval where applicable (following completion of the utility company's review and approval of an impact study). Additional documents may be required by the Planning Board or by the Zoning Board of Review during the course of the applicable Board's review.
    • (b) Land evidence. Any memorandum of lease, easement, or utility/distribution agreements shall be submitted with the major or minor system installation application and shall be recorded in land evidence in the Town of East Greenwich after all Planning Board and Zoning Board of Review approvals are received.
    • (c) Setbacks and height. Any major and minor solar system installations must meet all height, lot coverage, and minimum front, side, and rear yard requirements in the applicable zone, and must additionally maintain a twenty-foot vegetated buffer from all adjacent properties and roadways.
    • (d) Code requirements. All installations shall be in compliance with the Rhode Island State Building Code and the Rhode Island State Electrical Code and shall be subject to periodic inspections by the East Greenwich Building Official. All relevant installation components must have a UL listing or equivalent.
    • (e) Electrical. All electrical connection and distribution lines within the installation shall be underground or located entirely within a structure. Electrical equipment between the installation and the utility connection may be aboveground if required by the utility.
    • (f) Security. A fence shall surround the perimeter of any installation unless adequate property perimeter fencing already exists to the satisfaction of the Planning Board. Said fencing shall be no less than seven feet in height nor greater than 10 feet in height.
    • (g) Emergency access. Reasonable accessibility for emergency service vehicles shall be required.
    • (h) Signage. No signs are allowed on the security perimeter fencing except for a sign displaying the installation name, address and emergency contact information, and trespassing/warning/danger signs to ensure the safety of individuals who may come in contact with the installation. No sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
    • (i) Lighting. Lighting of solar energy systems and appurtenant structures shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes and shall be reasonably shielded from abutting properties. Such lighting shall be directed downward and incorporate cutoff fixtures to reduce light pollution.
    • (j) Abandonment or decommissioning. It is the responsibility of the parcel owner to remove all obsolete or unused systems within six months of cessation of operations. Reusable components are to be recycled whenever feasible. Physical removal of solar energy systems, structures and equipment shall include stabilization or revegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion.
    • (k) Operations and maintenance. When an applicant makes submission to the Planning Board, he or she shall include an operations and maintenance plan for the solar energy system. It shall include provisions for emergency shutdown and shall provide for maintaining contact information for a responsible party for the public and agents of the Town to contact with inquiries or concerns throughout the useful life of the system. Such plan shall also provide detailed information regarding any chemicals, solvents or other compounds used to clean or otherwise maintain the solar panels and provide information on their storage, disposal and handling.
    • (l) Financial security. The Planning Board may require a financial security instrument covering the entire solar energy system from commencement of operations through decommissioning. Such instrument may be cash held in escrow or a surety bond or other form acceptable to the Town. The security must be sufficient to cover the complete cost of removal and disposal of the system. The applicant shall submit a fully inclusive estimate of the costs associated with removal, at the end of the useful life of the facility, prepared by a qualified engineer licensed in the State of Rhode Island.
• C. Building-mounted and building-integrated solar energy system installations. Building-mounted or building-integrated system installations shall be allowed by right in all zones, provided that the system is otherwise compliant with all generally applicable requirements of the building code and zoning ordinance, and provided, further, that Historic District Commission review and approval is required for all such systems to be located within any Historic District.