WEST AMWELL: Solar measure sessions slated

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   WEST AMWELL — After a few delays, the Township Committee last week introduced an ordinance that would govern renewable energy facilities.
   The regulations would provide set lengths for setbacks and visual screens, and height of equipment, among other things.
   Renewable energy, specifically solar energy, became controversial in the township when an energy provider proposed the installation of a facility, or “solar farm,” on land not zoned for the use.
   Neighbors have strongly objected, saying they do not want a commercial facility on land that is zoned rural residential.
   The provider, Green Power of West Amwell LLC, has argued it is not a commercial entity but a public utility.
   The township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment is charged with considering whether to grant the numerous variances Green Power needs before it can set up its solar facility. The Zoning Board has scheduled a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday (March 7) at the municipal building, 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road, to discuss the application.
   The Township Committee introduced an ordinance to govern renewable energy once already, but after a public hearing on Feb. 4 sent it back to the Planning Board for review and revision. The public comment included criticism from energy providers.
   Because the newly revised ordinance includes several important changes, the township had to introduce it a second time and will hold another public hearing. The ordinance was introduced again Feb. 23.
   The public hearing will be held during the next committee meeting March 23. That meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the municipal building.
   One of the ordinance’s revisions calls for minor site plan approval before a zoning permit can be granted, if the ground-mounted facility contains more than 10 solar panels or if it is located less than 50 feet from the nearest property line. The original ordinance did not address the issue of 10 or more panels.
   The setback for a major solar facility would be whichever is greater: the building setback for the particular zone in which it sits or the minimum vegetated screen as called for by ordinance.
   The ordinance proposes a 50-foot visual screen to separate the facility from properties in a residential district, and a 30-foot screen to separate the facility from a public road. Also, a 20-foot screen would separate the facility from properties located in a nonresidential district.
   As first introduced, the setbacks called for 50-foot setbacks in all zones.
   Other changes to the ordinance concern wind energy. Large wind systems were omitted from the ordinance, which now deals only with smaller systems. Also, the maximum height for freestanding wind turbines was increased from 50 feet to 140 feet to allow the facility to harness the wind’s energy.
   Currently no proposals are before the township for a wind facility.