Proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility
Town of Gardiner - New York
There is currently a 10.5 acre BESS facility proposed for construction on McKinstry Road in Gardiner, New York.
This project proposal was brought to the Town Planning Board on April 22, 2025. The project narrative is dated April 11, 2024.
The proposed location is near the center of the photograph below. This photo was taken in 2017 from Millbrook Mountain on the Ridge.
Proposed location
Proposed BESS location in white
Implications to safety, health, and welfare of citizens in the event of fire
Emergency evacuation considerations
Environmental impacts to soil and water
Extensive viewshed concerns for the surrounding community and Ridge
Concerns for night time light pollution
Concerns for noise pollution in the surrounding community
Adequate visual screening considerations
Devalued homes in the surrounding community
Increased homeowner insurance premiums in the surrounding community
Facility size restrictions
Industrial facilities on zoned residential and agricultural land
Ownership of risk by project owner and town
Transfer of equity and wealth from the surrounding community to large corporations at the expense of the town and citizens
Citizens, town volunteers, and planning board members voiced their concerns to the project after the proposal was delivered. Concerns included:
Since that meeting, additional concerns have been raised.
Increased traffic and noise on rural roads for construction and lifetime maintenance
Maintenance costs for repair and upkeep of roads utilized for industrial purposes
Road safety for pedestrians walking and biking in the surrounding community
Precedent set for future industrial use of all Residential and Agricultural (RA) zoned land
Minimal tax revenue for non-fixed mobile battery units
What is the current law on this?
In accordance with the current zoning for the Town of Gardiner, the proposed project is zoned Residential Agricultural (RA).
Article III Section B states “No structure or land shall be used except as provided in the “Use Table.” The Use Table identifies light industry under the RA column with “--” coding. This coding “Designates a prohibited use” under the code.
This code is very clear and it appears that a BESS facility would be “prohibited,” as BESS facilities are commonly classified as light or heavy industry which are not permitted on RA zoned areas.
Small foreign Facility
Photographs of a small foreign BESS facility.
There is land in the Town of Gardiner designated for industry that does not coincide with the proposed location
The current zoning prohibits the use of Residential Agricultural (RA) land for industrial purposes
There is nothing unique or special about the proposed site other than location to power lines and land available
The community needs to consider and find sustainable ways to incorporate battery storage or other solutions within the town
Preservation of the distinctly unique ridge and valley environment must be considered for the community, visitors, and future generations
A moratorium on this specific project was proposed to give time to study it and determine how the town will move forward with battery storage technology and implementation within the town
