The Planning Board gave mixed reactions to a bylaw that would allow solar farms in residential areas, with board Chair Patricia McArdle saying the proposal may be dropped before a Fall Town Meeting vote.

That decision hinges on the will of residents, who are invited to attend a public hearing set for Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. in the Marion Town House.

Depending on community input, the board may decide to wait on moving a solar farm bylaw to Town Meeting floor.

On Monday, the Planning Board continued to revise a comprehensive solar bylaw that, if passed, would govern the installation of solar arrays for personal and commercial use. Commercial solar farms would be limited to sites with three or more acres and generate power for the electrical grid.

The bylaw is being crafted with the Marion Energy Committee, which had submitted its own solar bylaw for review ahead of the October Town Meeting.

Last spring, Town Meeting voters narrowly defeated a committee-drafted bylaw that sought to regulate placement of ground-mounted, and roof-mounted solar panels in town. Bylaw supporters fell short by four votes.

At that meeting, Planning Board member Jay Ryder said his committee would draft a comprehensive solar bylaw.

Previously at odds, the energy committee and the Planning Board decided it would be best if one bylaw, supported by both boards, were presented to voters.

Energy Management Committee member Bill Saltonstall said when compromises were reached for solar arrays designed for personal use, the energy committee withdrew its bylaw application.

However, at the Aug. 19 Planning Board meeting, the discussion centered on solar farms with some board members opposed to allowing industrial facilities in residential areas.

Board member Ted North said solar farms in residential zones would be unprecedented for the area.

“It would be a very unique situation on the South Coast if Marion were to allow these solar farms in residential districts,” he said.

North framed the decision as a fundamental policy change.

“There is no difference between a solar energy generating facility and a small gas turbine generating facility,” he said. North proposed either not allowing local solar farms or restricting them to an overlay district.

The district would limit solar farms to a specific area of town. Forming such a district requires a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting. Saltonstall opposed an overlay district.

Committee member Robert Fisher agreed. He said the fact that the Planning Board is considering removing the solar farm provision, after the energy committee withdrew its bylaw, was upsetting.

“It seems like the carpet is being pulled out from under our feet here,” Fisher said.

McArdle assured the energy committee that was not the case. She said resident’s concerns and suggestions would guide the process moving forward.

“The deal is that both boards will work together,” she said. “[The energy committee] has an opinion, we have an opinion, and now we’re going to ask the townspeople what they think. Ultimately, we must have their best interests in mind.”