Lansing Board to Review Battery Site Fence Variance
The developer seeks a height variance to install a 10-foot sound barrier at a local energy storage facility.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Jerry Smith LLC is set to appear before the Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals on October 14, 2026. The developer is requesting a variance to install a 10-foot tall acoustical fence at 339 Jerry Smith Rd., where a 5-megawatt battery storage system is planned.
Why it matters
The project uses Tesla battery units, which stand 9 feet and 2 inches tall and require perimeter buffering. A variance is necessary because the proposed sound wall exceeds the local zoning code limit of 6 feet for residential or commercial fences.
The proposed site at 339 Jerry Smith Rd. requires a 10-foot acoustical fence to dampen noise from 5-megawatt battery units, which stand 9 feet and 2 inches tall. This request stands in contrast to the standard 6-foot maximum fence height permitted under current Lansing zoning regulations.
The players
Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals
The local regulatory body responsible for evaluating variance requests against the city's established land-use and safety codes.
Jerry Smith LLC
The project developer proposing the battery energy storage facility and associated safety infrastructure at the 339 Jerry Smith Rd. site.
Tesla
The manufacturer providing the 9-foot-2-inch battery units designed for the grid-scale storage project.
The details
The developer uses acoustical buffering material to mitigate noise generated by the large-scale battery storage units. Because the equipment is taller than the maximum height allowed for fences in the city, the applicant must demonstrate the necessity of the increased height to the local zoning board. The board will evaluate the request based on the need for site security and noise abatement for the surrounding area.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Jerry Smith LLC appears before the Zoning Board.
Late October 2026: The application undergoes formal review by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Home Front
As high-capacity battery storage systems proliferate, local municipalities must adapt zoning ordinances originally drafted for traditional structures. This case highlights how residential and commercial height limits often collide with the industrial requirements of modern power storage.
Neighbors near 339 Jerry Smith Rd. should monitor public meeting minutes for updates on the board's decision regarding the fence height. Homeowners in the area can also check local government portals to track similar commercial site planning applications that may impact neighborhood noise levels.
The takeaway
Zoning variances are a standard part of the permit process for utility-scale projects that deviate from neighborhood height restrictions. Residents interested in how such projects are regulated can review the city's zoning bylaws to understand the specific safety and aesthetic standards for their own area.
What happens next
The Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct its formal deliberation regarding the variance application following the October 14, 2026 hearing.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure developments in Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tompkins Weekly.
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Should local zoning boards grant variances for renewable energy infrastructure that exceeds current height limits?
