Yorktown Board Extends Solar Moratorium

YORKTOWN, N.Y.—The Yorktown Town Board unanimously adopted a six-month solar moratorium after a public hearing on Oct. 22, renewing one that had expired. 

The Town Board chose not to approve a suggestion from the planning board that would exempt large-scale rooftop solar projects on commercial properties, such as the one proposed at Curry Honda, from the moratorium. 

Director of Planning John Tegeder said most commercial rooftop installations would be on a flat roof. For instance the roofs at the Jefferson Valley Mall and that on the Staples building are flat, which means the solar panels are not visible. 

“No one knows they're there because they are up on the flat roof and hidden,” Tegeder said. 

But because the roof of Curry Honda is sloped, the solar panels would be visible from the street. 

Councilman Sergio Esposito said he “would be amenable to excluding that type of a use with the moratorium.” 

He added that when he looked at the Curry Honda project, he was in support of putting solar panels on the roofs. 

“Do I like solar panels anyway? No," Esposito said. "Do I think that we need to utilize the spaces that are less obtrusive? Absolutely. Do I think there’s some kind of responsibility and there’s a use for it? Yes. There’s a need for it?”

Esposito said it’s all about finding what’s most appropriate for the town.

Dan Strauss, a resident, said the moratorium should be extended and the board “should extend it forever.” 

“You’ve made this so complicated,” he said. “A few years ago when the law was written, you allowed developers to come in and put in large-scale energy systems in-ground in residential areas—and there are two that are disasters right now. [They] should have never been allowed.” 

Resident Jay Kopstein told the bard he was in favor of the moratorium and believes it should be extended until “we have a chance to look at alternatives, to listen to the people in the town and listen to our council.”