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August 12, 2026 RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately. #172-2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Walker, on a roll call vote, to adopt as read, the full environmental assessment form parts 2 & 3 and issuing a negative declaration of environmental significance for the proposed local law repealing and replacing chapter 172 of the Town Code entitled “Solar Energy Systems”; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 7. Solar Energy Systems Law: Local Law No. 7 of 2026 A Local Law Repealing and Replacing Chapter 172 of the code of the Town of Eden Entitled “Solar Energy Systems” Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Eden as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent. The Town Board of the Town of Eden hereby finds that it is necessary and appropriate to update the Town’s regulations governing Solar Energy Systems in order to protect the public health, safety, welfare, agricultural resources, natural resources, scenic resources, community character, public infrastructure, emergency access, and financial interests of the Town and its residents, while continuing to accommodate appropriately sited and scaled Solar Energy Systems. The Town Board further finds that the existing provisions of Chapter 172 of the Town Code should be repealed and replaced in their entirety to establish updated definitions, use regulations, application requirements, review procedures, design standards, siting standards, decommissioning requirements, financial security requirements, enforcement provisions, and procedures for requests for relief. Section 2. Repeal and Replacement of Chapter 172. Chapter 172 of the Code of the Town of Eden, entitled “Solar Energy Systems,” as previously adopted and amended, is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Chapter 172, entitled “Solar Energy Systems,” to read as follows: § 172-1. Purpose and Legislative Intent. The Town Board of the Town of Eden adopts this chapter to accommodate the use of Solar Energy Systems and to regulate the placement of Solar Energy Systems so that the public health, safety, natural resources, and aesthetics of the Town and its residents will not be jeopardized. § 172-2. Findings. A. The Town Board of the Town of Eden finds and declares that solar energy is an abundant, renewable and nonpolluting energy resource of the Town and that its conversion to electricity will reduce our dependence on nonrenewable energy sources. Therefore, the Town of Eden intends to accommodate the use of Solar Energy Systems. B. However, regulation of the siting, installation and use of Solar Energy Systems is necessary for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of neighboring parcel owners and the general public, and the aesthetics of the community. These regulations are in place to balance the need to improve energy sustainability through increased use of solar energy while preserving the public health, welfare, and safety, as well as environmental quality, visual and aesthetic values, and existing neighborhoods' social and ecological stability. Further, the intent is to minimize any adverse impacts on the character of the neighborhoods, parcel values, scenic, traffic safety, historic and environmental resources of the Town. C. In addition, Solar Energy Systems need to be regulated for removal when they are no longer utilized or are out of compliance with the requirements of this chapter. § 172-3. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this chapter: AGRICULTURAL DUAL-USE — Also referred to as "dual-use" or "agrivoltaics," this involves the practice of co-locating solar photovoltaic panels on farmland in such a manner that primary agricultural activities, including 8