Town Board moves initiatives forward -

Public comment was absent at the public hearing on another six-month extension of the solar moratorium that has been in effect for almost one year, with a larger exemption than has been in place previously. Originally, a moratorium was approved on March 7, 2024, to allow time for a newly formed Solar Law Committee to generate a town wide solar law. The moratorium was extended for six months on September 5, 2024. With the feedback generated from the public meeting on February 8, 2025,  the Solar Committee intends to finalize a proposed law for the town during the newly approved moratorium. 

Topics raised during discussion of board business and public comment included the following:

The board addressed public comment about the addition of “agriculture” as an allowable use on a single lot exemption (SLE) parcel, in addition to single family residential living and a home occupation. Agriculture had been discussed and favored as a use at the last board meeting. The Zoning Improvement Committee Chair commented that Ag & Markets regulations, along with Chatham’s “right to farm” standard, are congruent with this, as is the economic benefit to SLE residents, given the town’s effort to make new housing affordable. Supervisor Collins pointed out that agriculture is permitted in all residential zones in the town, including the hamlets.

A member of the public noted that the addition of a cap on the number of SLEs allowed in the town was persuasive for many residents who had concerns about the potential impact of the proposed SLE law. This contrasted with the opinions of some that the cap is not necessary and contrary to a “pro-housing community.”

In the course of discussion and action, the agenda for upcoming workshops increased at the request of board member Wapner.

Wapner asked to have an agenda item for an upcoming workshop meeting to clarify the workings of the Grants Appropriations Advisory Committee, including how the committee coordinates with the Town Board and the grant writer. 

Wapner also asked that a workshop topic advance a discussion and clarification regarding the situation where a town employee serves as a chair or member of a citizens’ advisory committee; specifically, is the employee doing so as a town job function or as a volunteer for the town?

Wapner also noted that the board had received a letter regarding the Traffic Safety Workgroup, and asked that the topics raised by the writer be addressed in a workshop meeting.

The Town Board resolved:

• To approveTown Board minutes from January and to accept two monthly financial reports.

• To add three roads to the NYS Department of Transportation Highway inventory for the Town of Chatham.  The three roads that are currently maintained by the Town are Rod and Gun Club Road, Little Loop Road, and Waldorf Road, all within the town’s boundaries. As discussed at the last Town Board meeting, the listing of these roads under DOT inventory will allow the Highway Superintendent to secure and use certain funding for maintenance that is not otherwise available.The resolution passed unanimously.

• To appoint Jennifer Trolenberg as Chairperson and John Breault as Co-Chairperson of the Grants Appropriation Advisory Committee, effective immediately.  Supervisor Collins has been acting chair of the committee in recent months.The resolution passed unanimously.

• To apply for a NYS Archives / Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) Grant on behalf of the Town’s Building Department, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals for a project entitled Planning / Zoning/ Building Digital Conversion Project. The grant is expected to fund the transition from paper records to digitized records for the three entities and improve record management to conform with NYS standards.The resolution passed unanimously.

• Authorized the formation of a Financial Planning and Economic Development Citizens’ Advisory Committee. The request for this committee was initiated by citizens Gabriella Sperry and John Breault, who previously served on the Town Finance and Planning Committee. Sperry and Breault will serve as co-chairs of the new committee, along with a Town Board member (to be named), and the board will advertise for citizen volunteers. The resolution passed unanimously.

• To move the Draft Single Lot Exemption Regulation (specifying zoning and subdivision regulation for single lot exemptions within the town) to the Columbia County Planning Board for review and feedback prior to scheduling a public hearing on the proposed law. The original resolution was amended to read that the Town Board plans to set an annual cap of 10 SLEs, if the Town Board passes the law. This amended resolution was supported by Town Board Members Eaton, Wapner, and Werwaiss, and opposed by Supervisor Collins, who did not agree that a cap on SLEs is necessary or desirable. The resolution passed 3 to 1.

• To move the Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulation to the Columbia County Planning Board for review and feedback prior to scheduling a public hearing on the law.  During discussion, Collins said that he disagreed with a change in the law that disallows the use of ADUs as short-term rentals (providing income for the owner) if the ADU is built as a consequence of this law, but he would vote in favor of the resolution in order to move the law forward in the process to make it a town law. The resolution passed unanimously.

• To approve a (third) six-month moratorium on solar energy arrays, effective February 20, 2025, with an increase in the allowable exemption under the moratorium from 25 kW to 75 kW to accommodate agricultural operations, local businesses, and residences undergoing “significant” solar electrification. 
  
  Once the final Solar Law proposal is complete, there will be a public hearing to give residents another opportunity to give opinions and feedback on the final product prior to Town Board action to adopt it. The most recent draft of the proposed law is here, and the public is invited to send comments to Angus Eaton, Chair of the Solar Law Committee (aeaton@chathamnewyork.us) .
  
  The video of the February 20, 2025, Town Board meeting is available in its entirety HERE.