Southtowns Record

Planning Board Regular Meeting, Mar 18, 2026 — Minutes

Government
Town of Hamburg
Board
Planning Board
Meeting
Mar 18, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Zoning and land use, Parks and recreation, Water, sewer and drainage, Energy and data center siting, Budget and taxes

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 6 of 13

Town of Hamburg Planning Board Minutes  March 18, 2026

  •  Design complies with Town requirements for Tier 3 solar systems
  o Setbacks, fencing, panel height, access road, landscaping
  •  No impact to jurisdictional wetlands, archeological or cultural resources, or
  critical species or habitat
  •  Only minimal (spot) grading and stormwater treatment anticipated
  o Project will not increase peak stormwater runoff
  •  Disturbed areas seeded with native, pollinator-friendly, flowering mix
  o Mowed (or grazed) 3-4 times a year
  o Land allowed to rest and regenerate (no water, fertilizer, pesticides)
  •  Agricultural, open-know perimeter fence lets through small wildlife
  •  Landscaping (343) plantings mitigates views from nearby homes
  •  Coordination has begun with Hamburg Volunteer Fire and Erie County
  •  All solar equipment qualifies as (USA-made) domestic content

Local Benefits:

  •  Lease allows land to stay in family, potential for future use (farming)
  •  Possible agrivoltaics opportunities (sheep grazing, bee keeping)
  •  Supports Town and County energy and sustainability goals
  o County Community Action Climate Plan: Transition to decarbonized
  electrical grid
  o Town Comprehensive Plan: Protect and enhance environmental
  assets, focus on re-use and revitalization, maintain solid mixed-use
  base, revitalize infrastructure
  •  Financial benefits
  o Annual escalator PILOT payment to county IDA, e.g., $4,500MW
  (TBD)
  o Local construction labor (prevailing wage/union): $2.7m (est.)
  •  Distributed Generation or DG projects generate electricity for the local
  grid, for local use
  o 3,900,000+kWh in year 1: annual power use of 575 NY homes
  o Community Solar: bill credits for low/moderate-income households
  via S-SFA

Mr. Rogers explained to the Planning Board and the audience that this is the first time
the Applicant has been before the Board so this meeting and a couple more meetings in
the future are not open for public comment, meaning that no one will be able to come up
to the microphone and speak. Mr. Rogers stated that he has provided his email address
and members of the public are able to contact him with their comments which are
shared with the Planning Board. When the project is going to be set for a public hearing,

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