Reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer, Seneca Falls Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, as needed for completeness. An application shall be complete when it addresses all matters listed in this article including, but not necessarily limited to, i) compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and all applicable provisions of the Energy Code and ii) matters relating to the proposed battery energy storage system and floodplain, utility lines and electrical circuitry, signage, lighting, vegetation and tree-cutting, noise, decommissioning, site plan and development, special use and development, ownership changes, safety, permit time frame and abandonment. Applicants shall be advised within 10 business days of the completeness of their application or any deficiencies that must be addressed prior to substantive review.

Subject to a public hearing to hear all comments for and against the application. The Planning Board of the Town of Seneca Falls shall have a notice printed in a local newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Seneca Falls at least five business days in advance of such hearing. Applicants shall have delivered the notice by first-class mail to adjoining landowners or landowners within 500 feet of the subject property at least 10 days prior to such hearing. Proof of mailing shall be provided to the Town of Seneca Falls Planning Board at the public hearing.

Referred to the Seneca County Planning Board pursuant to General Municipal Law § 239-m if required. Further coordination with Seneca County Emergency Management Office will also be required at the discretion of Seneca County Planning Board.

Upon closing of the public hearing, the Seneca Falls Planning Board shall act on the application within 62 days of the public hearing, which can include approval, approval with conditions, or denial. The sixty-two-day period may be extended upon consent by both the Seneca Falls Planning Board and applicant.

The signage shall be in compliance with ANSI Z535 and shall include the type of technology associated with the battery energy storage systems, any special hazards associated, the type of suppression system installed in the area of battery energy storage systems, and twenty-four-hour emergency contact information, including reach-back phone number.

As required by the NEC, disconnect and other emergency shutoff information shall be clearly displayed on a light reflective surface. A clearly visible warning sign concerning voltage shall be placed at the base of all pad-mounted transformers and substations.

Decommissioning plan. The applicant shall submit a decommissioning plan developed in accordance with the Uniform Code, containing a narrative description of activities to be accomplished for removing the energy storage system form service, and from the facility in which it located. The decommissioning plan shall also include: i) the anticipated life of the battery energy storage system; ii) the estimated decommissioning costs; iii) how said estimate was determined; iv) the method of ensuring that funds will be available for decommissioning and restoration; v) the method that the decommissioning cost will be kept current; vi) the manner in which the battery energy storage system will be decommissioned, and the site restored; and vii) a listing of any contingencies for removing an intact operational energy storage system from service, and for removing an energy system form service that has been damaged by a fire or other event.

Decommissioning fund. The applicant, or successors, shall continuously maintain a fund or bond payable to the Town of Seneca Falls in a form approved by the Town of Seneca Falls Town Board for removal of the battery energy storage system, in an amount to be determined by the Town of Seneca Falls for the period of the life of the facility. This fund may consist of a letter of credit from a State of New York licensed financial institution. All costs of the financial security shall be borne by the applicant.

Property lines and physical features, including roads, for the project site.

Proposed changes to the landscape of the site, grading, vegetation clearing and planting, exterior lighting, and screening vegetation or structures.

A one- or three-line electrical diagram detailing the battery energy storage system layout, associated components, and electrical interconnection methods, with all National Electrical Code compliant disconnects and over current devices.

A preliminary equipment specification sheet that documents the proposed battery energy storage system components, inverters and associated electrical equipment that are to be installed. A final equipment specification sheet shall be submitted prior to the issuance of building permit.

Name, address, and contact information of the proposed or potential system installer and the owner and/or operator of the battery energy storage system. Such information of the final system installer shall be submitted prior to the issuance of building permit.

Name, address, phone number, and signature of the project applicant, as well as all the property owners, demonstrating their consent to the application and the use of the property for the battery energy storage system.

Zoning district designation for the parcel(s) of land comprising the project site.

Commissioning plan. Such plan, referenced in Appendix 1, shall document and verify that the system and its associated controls and safety systems are in proper working condition per requirements set forth in the Uniform Code. Battery energy storage system commissioning shall be conducted by a New York State (NYS) Licensed Professional Engineer or NYS Registered Architect after the installation is complete but prior to final inspection and approval. A corrective action plan shall be developed for any open or continuing issues that are allowed to be continued after commissioning. A report describing the results of the system commissioning and including the results of the initial acceptance testing required in the Uniform Code shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to final inspection and approval and maintained at an approved on-site location. Energy storage system commissioning shall not be required for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems at facilities under the exclusive control of communications utilities that comply with NFPA 76 and operate at less than 50 VAC and 60 VDC.

Fire safety compliance plan. Such plan shall document and verify that the system and its associated controls and safety systems are in compliance with the Uniform Code.

System and property operation and maintenance manual. Such plan shall describe continuing battery energy storage system maintenance and property upkeep, as well as design, construction, installation, testing and commissioning information and shall meet all requirements set forth in the Uniform Code.

Erosion and sediment control and storm water management plans prepared to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation standards, if applicable, and to such standards as may be established by the Planning Board.

Prior to the issuance of the building permit or final approval by Code Enforcement Officer, but not required as part of the application, engineering documents must be signed and sealed by a NYS licensed professional engineer or NYS registered architect.

An emergency operation plan per requirements set forth in Appendix 2.

Setbacks. Tier 3 battery energy storage systems shall comply with the setback requirements of the underlying zoning district for principal structures.

Height. Tier 3 battery energy storage systems shall comply with the building height limitations for principal structures of the underlying zoning district.

Fencing requirements. Tier 3 battery energy storage systems, including all mechanical equipment, shall be enclosed by an eight-foot-high fence with a self-locking gate to prevent unauthorized access unless housed in a dedicated-use building and not interfering with ventilation or exhaust ports.

Screening and visibility. Tier 3 battery energy storage systems shall have views minimized from adjacent properties to the extent reasonably practicable using architectural features, earth berms, landscaping, or other screening methods that will harmonize with the character of the property and surrounding area and not interfering with ventilation or exhaust ports.

Battery energy storage systems and equipment shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to UL 9540 or CAN 9540 (Standard for Battery Energy Storage Systems and Equipment) with subcomponents meeting each of the following standards that are applicable based on the storage type (electrochemical, thermal, mechanical):

Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems installed in facilities under the exclusive control of communications utilities and operating at less than 50 VAC and 60 VDC in accordance with NFPA 76 are not required to be listed.