Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Media Release

CONTACT: Catherine Ratté, PVPC Principal Planner, (413) 781-6045


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2010

Monson Approves By-Right Solar Generation

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, using state District Local Technical Assistance funding, has drafted a new bylaw with the Monson Planning Board to allow solar energy generation. The zoning amendment was approved at the October 18 town meeting.

The Large Scale Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Installation Bylaw allows commercial generation in locations deemed appropriate by the town. Allowing generation by-right means that permitting the development of a facility will be much easier and less costly for the town and developers. In order to qualify for the by-right status, a facility must be located on a parcel of 50 acres or more that currently has electric transmission lines running through the property.

The state-funded District Local Technical Assistance Program (DLTA) enables PVPC to provide technical assistance to its member communities at their request. Many towns in the region have used DLTA funding to finish projects that they could not otherwise complete due to lack of resources, staff, or capital.

For more information on DLTA funding or the Monson project, contact Catherine Ratté at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission at (413) 781-6045 or cratte@pvpc.org.