Politics & Government

'Groundbreaking' Ordinance to Detail Renewable Energy Facilities

The township is considering an ordinance outlining parameters for renewable energy.

They call it groundbreaking in the state—but for Bridgewater Township, it’s just another step in its promotion of solar power and other methods of saving energy.

The township council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance May 2 to regulate the use of renewable energy facilities in Bridgewater.

“There is nothing like this in the state of New Jersey,” said township planner Scarlett Doyle. “This is groundbreaking, and we are very excited about the attempt to deal with this issue.”

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This ordinance creates a section concerning renewable energy facilities as part of the township’s municipal code.

“This is a proposed ordinance we have worked on with the township planner and others in the administration, and reviewed by the environmental commission, about the use of community energy,” said Hector Herrera, deputy clerk for the township. “It is comprehensive in that it doesn’t just address solar energy, but also wind, geothermal and other technologies.”

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“Currently, the ordinance does not address these kinds of facilities,” he added.

The ordinance, Herrera said, addresses zoning setbacks, design standards and other issues.

According to Doyle, it is important to develop this kind of ordinance to deal with solar and other forms of renewable energy in all kinds of zones throughout the township.

“It is important that we develop this in industrial zones, and have requirements for screening noise [and other issues],” Doyle said. “Municipal land use law in the state of New Jersey has done two things to the industry, it has allowed all renewable energy to be inherently beneficial.”

Councilman Matthew Moench questioned whether this ordinance would make it easier for wind facilities, citing that the ones he normally sees are large wind turbines, which would not be welcome in the township.

Doyle said these kinds of facilities are not permitted in residential zones, but are in industrial zones.

“And some of the setbacks are 350 feet,” she said. “We have used state setbacks that are used for renewable energy and that are similar for small farms.”

Council president Howard Norgalis said he would like township officials to speak to fire chiefs, particularly with the issue of placing solar panels and other renewable energy methods on roofs. He and councilman Allen Kurdyla said it would be difficulty to vent a roof in the case of a fire if there were solar panels there.

“I am asking you to speak to the fire chiefs as well, who are the ones on the roofs,” Norgalis said. “Many of the facilities are very large on the roofs, and we need to ensure that the access is okay.”

The council introduced the ordinance and approved sending it back to the planning board for a final recommendation, which was given Tuesday.

“I produced a report which recommends that this ordinance is not inconsistent with the master plan,” Doyle said Tuesday. “It is consistent, so the planning board recommends its adoption.”

The ordinance will be back before the council for a public hearing at Thursday’s council meeting.


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