Little Ferry City Zoning Code
§ 35-125
SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES.
[Ord. No. 1404-12-14]
a.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to permit solar energy facilities in appropriate locations in the Borough in a way that is consistent with duly enacted State legislation to facilitate alternative forms of energy production and to minimize potential land use conflicts and impacts associated with such facilities.
b.
General Requirements. Unless otherwise specified, the following general requirements apply to all solar energy facilities (hereinafter "facilities"), regardless of whether they are permitted, conditional or accessory uses.
1.
Concentrated solar and solar reflecting technology facilities are prohibited.
2.
A facility shall mean the aggregate of all facilities constructed on a lot or assemblage of contiguous lots.
3.
Any solar energy facilities mounted to a roof or structure above a surface parking area or a roof shall be deemed an accessory use.
4.
Solar energy facilities shall not be counted in the calculation of maximum impervious cover unless the area under the panels (excluding any footings) consists of an impervious material. The design of the facilities shall comply with all NJDEP and Borough stormwater, grading, and soil disturbance regulations, whichever is more restrictive.
5.
Applicants are encouraged to enter into solar easements with neighboring property owners in order to ensure continuing access to sunlight for a solar energy facility. Site plan approval or the issuance of a zoning permit for a solar energy facility does not imply the existence of a solar easement.
6.
All electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
7.
The only signs permitted on a solar energy facilities or any associated building or structure are those depicting the manufacturers or installer's identification, appropriate warning signs, or owner identification.
8.
Sound levels from the solar energy facilities shall not exceed the ambient sound level at the property line prior to construction of the facility.
c.
Accessory Use Requirements. The following requirements shall apply to solar energy facility accessory uses.
1.
Roof mounted facilities.
(a)
The structures shall be mounted parallel to the roof angle.
(b)
No portion of the facility shall exceed a height of 12 inches above the roof. Notwithstanding, roof mounted facilities shall not exceed the maximum building (principal or accessory) height in the zone district.
(c)
Lighting of facilities is prohibited.
2.
Parking canopy facilities.
(a)
Facilities mounted above parking lots shall be designed to provide adequate space for access by emergency vehicles whenever necessary.
(b)
The maximum permitted height shall be 20 feet.
(c)
Facilities shall only be located within the rear or side yard.
(d)
The minimum side and rear yard setback for any such facility shall be 15 feet if adjacent to a non-residential use or district and 25 feet if adjacent to a residential use or district.
(e)
The facility shall meet the applicable buffering and lighting requirements in the Borough's Land Use Regulations, Chapter 35.
(f)
Limited encroachments upon pre-existing or standard parking space sizes to accommodate the structure for solar parking canopy facilities are permitted, provided that safe and convenient accessibility to and from all parking spaces is maintained.
(g)
The facility shall be designed in such a manner that neither water nor snow accumulate and have concentrated flow off the structure.