Southtowns Record

Supporting Documents — PB-BESS-Draft-PublicHearing-BESS-Law-Rev15-10Aug26.pdf

Government
Town of Colden
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Sep 2, 2026
Kind
Agenda packet
Topics
Energy and data center siting, Zoning and land use, Public safety, Water, sewer and drainage, Budget and taxes, Audits and oversight, Housing

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 5 of 17

Draft Colden Chapter #101 Battery Energy Storage Systems
  Planning Board Revision #15 (dated 8/10/26)

  ARTICLE II
  PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Section 101-7: Permitting Requirements for Tier 1 Battery Energy Storage Systems (≤ 600 kWh)

Tier 1 Battery Energy Storage Systems shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the Town of
Colden Uniform Code “Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Permit”. Tier 1 BESS are less than or
equal to 600 kWh capacity. The 600kWh criteria is the aggregate energy capacity for the applicant’s parcel
and multiple 600kWh systems on a single parcel are not permitted. The Tier 1 BESS projects are generally
exempt from site plan review, since Tier 1 systems are smaller residential or small commercial
systems for homes and businesses; they are processed by the Colden Tier 1 BESS Permit and the
related Town of Colden Building Permits. This procedure is via the Town of Colden Code
Enforcement Department. It is anticipated that most, if not all, residential and commercial
installations of a Tier 1 BESS will be designed, installed, and commissioned by a professional
contractor which has expertise and design experience to supply suitable technical and engineering
details for review by the Town of Colden staff. It is assumed that submissions will be prepared by a
NYS Licensed Design Professional (Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, Professional Land
Surveyor, etc.). To have the Tier 1 Application process be efficient, and non-piecemeal, submissions
of Tier 1 BESS applications the submittal requirements are presented in summary below for Tier 1
installations less than or equal to 600 kWh capacity.
The submitted Applications for the installation of Tier 1 Battery Energy Storage System shall be:
  A. Reviewed by the Code Enforcement Department for completeness. In some circumstances the
  Code Enforcement Department may make a referral to the Planning Board for a more detailed
  site plan review. An application shall be deemed complete when it addresses all matters listed
  in this Local Law including, but not necessarily limited to,
  (1) Include a legend or key for the site and floor plan with equipment symbols.
  (2) The site plan shall include a professional survey, signed and sealed by a licensed
  NYS Professional Land Surveyor, with markings to show:
  (a) The location of the structure and the location where the system is to be
  installed.
  (b) Show conduit/cable routing of battery energy storage system and supporting
  data showing the aggregate energy capacity is consistent with Tier 1 BESS
  criteria.
  (c) Include underground trench detail, if applicable.
  (d) Show overhead runs, if applicable.
  (e) Show method and location of required ventilation equipment (if required) for
  indoor installations.
  (3) Identify the total number of batteries for the BESS and location on the site plan and
  floor plan.
  (4) The floor plan shall include:
  (a) New equipment for the battery energy storage system.
  (b) Existing equipment for interconnection.
  (c) Show required working clearances for all existing/new electrical equipment.
  (d) Show whether the equipment is to be installed indoors or outdoors.
  (e) Show method and location of requirement ventilation equipment (if required)
  for indoor installations.
  (f) Show method of protection from physical damage for the battery energy
  storage system.

TOWN OF COLDEN – BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS  5