FRANKSTOWN — The Frankstown Board of Supervisors is seeking public comment on a suite of proposed amendments to the current zoning ordinance that would regulate both residential and commercial solar power generation within the township.

According to the proposed amendments, residential solar systems, including ground, wall and roof-mounted arrays, will be considered “accessory solar energy systems” (ASES), limited to 120% of the electric service busbar rating.

ASES systems are allowed in both residential and diverse residential zoning districts in the township.

These smaller systems will be intended to “primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power or fuels,” while larger arrays designed for commercial power generation must be placed in a newly created “principal solar energy district” (PSES) and subject to increased regulation.

Crucially, the power generated by a PSES system is “primarily for off-site use or sale,” according to the proposed amended ordinance.

The new PSES zoning district, inclusive of current zoning and use of the area, extends from just south of Geeseytown to just below Canoe Creek State Park between Turkey Valley Road and William Penn Highway, according to the area specified in the amended ordinance.

The proposed amendment lays out a number of requirements for solar systems in both PSES zones, including glare, property line setbacks, fencing, noise, decommissioning and stormwater mitigation regulations, among others.

Permits for constructing both ASES and PSES systems are required, and full information on the exact details of the proposed ordinance can be found at the township office located within the Frankstown Municipal Building.

The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendments at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Geeseytown Community Fire Company hall, before an anticipated vote on adoption in October.

The board also discussed a separate ordinance amendment to raise the annual wage of township supervisors from $2,500 to $4,190 in accordance with Pennsylvania Act 94 of 2024, which amended the second class township code to bring supervisor pay up to date.

According to Manager Henry Fownes, the current rate of $2,500 per year was set in 1995, and thus has not kept up with inflation or the increased responsibilities of township elected officials.

If ultimately adopted, the pay increase would only affect newly-elected supervisors. The current three supervisors would remain at the $2,500 rate unless they are reelected to another six year term.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.