Worthington Planning Board unanimously backs solar and battery storage moratorium language

WORTHINGTON -- January 29, 2026, Worthington Planning Board votes unanimously to advance solar and battery storage moratorium bylaw language to a February 24 special town meeting. The board approved draft text adding section 8.5.7 to place a temporary moratorium on large-scale ground-mounted solar and a new section 8.8 to restrict commercial large-capacity energy storage systems, along with companion definitions in section 10, all as a single warrant article bound for the state Attorney General's office. Under the proposed battery rules, a 300-foot setback from structures would confine permissible siting to roughly 13 percent of town land. At the meeting's close, a board member disclosed receiving a preliminary subdivision plan application from engineering firm WSP for 105 Old Post Road, a filing the board identified as a likely attempt by a solar developer to freeze current zoning for three years, triggering a potential 65-day decision clock once the application is deemed complete.