Planning & Economic Development Committee Meeting 05/20/26

The Chautauqua County Planning & Economic Development Committee met on May 20, 2026. The meeting included a public discussion focused primarily on concerns about wind turbine setbacks and the potential health and environmental impacts of renewable energy projects, particularly wind turbines and solar installations. Committee members discussed the importance of local zoning laws to protect residents and maintain quality of life, referencing various setback distances used by other towns and the role of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting. The committee also approved the appointment of Gregory White to the Agricultural Farmland Protection Board and authorized a two-year extension of the lease agreement for the Department of Planning and Development office space at the BWB Center in Jamestown with no rent increase. Additionally, the committee discussed upcoming engagement with Southern Tier West, a federal agency involved in regional planning and development, to better understand its functions and funding. No new contracts or procurement awards were made during this meeting, but policy discussions around renewable energy siting could influence future local procurement and development decisions.