MONTGOMERY: School’s solar project does not meet new rules

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — The Board of Education’s solar panel project slated for Montgomery High School has slipped through the cracks of the Township Committee’s recently adopted zoning ordinance — leaving town officials concerned for Montgomery’s image.
   The Board of Education appeared before the Planning Board June 4 to present its application to install a carport array over the bus area and a larger array in the detention basin alongside Route 601 that would sit 8 feet above street level.
   Business Administrator Tom Venanzi said the anticipated savings for the latter project is $60,000 per year alone in addition to environmental benefits for the town.
   The projects are part of the Somerset County Freeholder Green Energy Program, where funding is provided for solar energy projects at no cost to school districts and municipalities.
   While the Planning Board was OK with the carport, it refused to give its recommendation for the other project due to its location and insufficient buffers and camouflage.
   ”I don’t think putting a large solar array along 601 is a good idea. It will likely impact Montgomery’s rural character — something we all hold dear,” said Mayor Ed Trzaska, who also sits on the Planning Board.
   The Board of Education’s presentation was two days shy from the Township Committee’s unanimous adoption of a zoning ordinance. The ordinance now gives specific and more rigid guidelines for erecting solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy devices.
   Under the new ordinance, this particular project would not meet the necessary requirements.
   ”The concern is that it’s in violation with the solar ordinance we just passed that rules you can’t have solar structures in the front yard, which is essentially what they’re doing,” said Mayor Trzaska.
   Since the Board of Education’s application was filed prior to the ordinance’s adoption, the project does not need to comply. Mr. Venanzi confirmed the school board would only have to adhere to the ordinance for future solar project plans.
   Because it is an educational facility, the Board of Education only needs approval from the Department of Education and any presentations to the town are considered courtesy reviews.
   ”The Board of Education has a lot of control above and beyond what the town regulates,” said Mayor Trzaska. “At the end of the day, they have the authority by the state to run their land as they see fit — they don’t need formal approval from the zoning and planning committees.”
   However, the Planning Board plans on sending a letter to the state Board of Education explaining its concerns and reasons for its non-recommendation.
   Mr. Venanzi said county professionals identified the detention basin as an ideal spot for installation, but that the Operations and Facilities Committee would consider the concerns and decide whether to move forward or come up with an alternative solution.
   ””The school board has not been notified of the project’s start date, but anticipates it would start in the summer and be complete by fall.
   Although the mayor said he was confident the Board of Education would come up with a reasonable compromise, Committeeman Rich Smith’s concern was not allayed.
   ”To put this in the field and have everyone see this structure? I have a problem with that — I’m pretty sure we all do,” he said. “It’s ugly and in your face. We need to fight these,” he said.