Springfield Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Wind and Solar Energy
§ 35-120.1 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
a.
The primary purpose of a wind or solar energy system will be to provide power for the principal use of the property whereon said system is to be located and shall not be for the generation of power for commercial purposes, although this provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the sale of excess power generated from time to time from a wind or solar energy system designed to meet the energy needs of the principal use. For the purposes of this subsection, the sale of excess power shall be limited so that in no event an energy system is generating more energy for sale than what is otherwise necessary to power the principal use on the property.
b.
Wind and solar energy systems shall only be permitted as an accessory use on the same lot as the principal use. All energy systems require approval from the Zoning Officer and Construction Bureau within the Department of Engineering, Construction Services and Code Enforcement prior to installation for residential properties, and the Planning Board for nonresidential properties. Applications for an energy system shall include information demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this subsection. In the event that the Zoning Officer or Construction Bureau within the Department of Engineering, Construction Services and Code Enforcement does not believe the provisions of this subsection will be satisfied, an applicant may request a variance.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-24]
c.
Applicability of Section. This section shall apply to systems intended for the provision of the electrical or mechanical power needs of the owner/operator of the system; also, such a system shall be for one main building and its accessory buildings only. For systems intended for uses other than the ones stated, the Planning Board approval shall be required. Said approval shall cover the location of the system (shown on a survey of the property).
§ 35-120.2 Definitions.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
The Township of Springfield Zoning Officer.
The wind generator and the tower shall remain painted or finished in the color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer, unless a different color or finish is approved by the Administrator.
The Township of Springfield or other authority having jurisdiction such as the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Equipment that converts energy from the wind and solar into electricity. This term includes all associated mechanical and electrical conversion components necessary to generate, store and/or transfer energy.
A structure designed to support the gathering of wind energy resource data, and includes the tower, base plate, anchors, guy cables and hardware, anemometers (wind speed indicators), wind direction vanes, booms to hold equipment anemometers and vanes, data logger, instrument wiring, and any telemetry devices that are used to monitor or transmit wind speed and wind flow characteristics over a period of time for either instantaneous wind information or to characterize the wind resource at a given location.
The individual or entity that intends to own and operate the small wind energy system and/or a solar energy system in accordance with this Article.
The cross sectional dimensions of the circle swept by the rotating blades of a wind-powered energy generator.
A wind energy system, as defined in this subsection, that:
A solar generator and all associated equipment, including any base, foundation, structural support, wire, batteries or other components necessary to fully utilize the solar generator.
In relation to a wind energy system utilizing a propeller blade rotating on an axis horizontal to the ground, the vertical distance from the ground to the tip of a wind generator blade when the tip is at its highest point. Total height means, in relation to a wind energy system utilizing an axis vertical to the ground, the vertical distance from the ground to the top of the axis.
A monopole, freestanding, or guyed structure that supports a wind generator.
A wind generator and all associated equipment, including any base, blade, foundation, nacelle, rotor, tower transformer, vane, wire, inverter, batteries or other component necessary to fully utilize the wind generator.
§ 35-120.3 Standards.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
a.
A small wind energy system shall be a permitted use in all zones, as an "accessory structure," subject to the following requirements:
1.
Minimum Lot Size. One-half acre, provided the lot size conforms to the height requirements below.
2.
Minimum Setbacks. For lots between 1/2 acre and three acres, wind turbines shall be set back from all property lines a distance equal to 100% of the height of the structure including the blades. For lots larger than three acres, wind turbines shall be set back from all property lines a distance of equal to 200% of the height of the structure including the blades. No portion of the wind generator shall extend beyond any overhead utility lines, unless written permission is granted by the utility that owns and/or controls the lines.
3.
Wind turbines shall not be permitted in any front yard.
4.
Maximum Height. Freestanding wind turbines shall not exceed the maximum height permitted for a principal building in the zone in which it is located.
5.
No more than one wind turbine shall be permitted per property.
6.
Wind turbines in residential zones mounted on roofs, shall not extend above the roofline or exceed the maximum height permitted in the zone by more than two feet. Wind turbines in nonresidential zones may be mounted on the roof but shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the edge of the roof and shall not extend more than 15 feet above the maximum building height permitted in the zone.
7.
Wind turbines on residential properties shall have a nameplate capacity of 10 kilowatts or less but in no instances more than the average annual electrical usage of the building it serves.
8.
Noise. All wind energy systems shall comply with the following:
(a)
Between a residential use or zone, the sound levels shall comply with the State of New Jersey ambient nighttime noise standards.
(b)
In all other cases at a common property line sound levels of the wind energy system shall not exceed 50 dBA.
(c)
These levels may be exceeded during short-term events such as utility outages and/or severe windstorms.
(d)
Wind turbines shall be designed with an automatic brake or other similar device to prevent over speeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure.
9.
Wind energy systems shall not be artificially lighted, except to the extent required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
10.
All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
11.
The tower shall be designed and installed so as not to provide step bolts, a ladder, or other publicly accessible means of climbing the tower for a minimum height of 12 feet above the ground.
12.
All moving parts of the wind energy system shall be a minimum of 15 feet above ground level.
13.
The blades on the wind energy system shall be constructed of a corrosive-resistant material.
14.
All guy wires or any part of the wind energy system shall be located on the same lot as the energy system.
15.
A permit may be denied if in the discretion of the Township Engineer or Assistant Township Engineer the proposed small wind energy system is shown to be unsafe at a proposed location.
b.
Solar Energy Systems.
1.
Solar panels shall be permitted as a rooftop installation in any zoning district. The solar panels shall not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop. In no event shall the placement of the solar panels result in a total height including building and panels than what is permitted in the zoning district in which they are located for the principal building.
2.
Solar panels shall be permitted as ground arrays in accordance with the following:
(a)
All ground arrays shall be set back a distance of 20 feet from all property lines in a residential zoning district or in conformance with the bulk standards for accessory structures in commercial districts as provided herein.
(b)
Ground arrays shall not be permitted in a front yard.
(c)
Ground arrays shall be located so that any glare is directed away from an adjoining property.
(d)
Ground arrays shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
c.
Wind and solar energy systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for reasonable identification of the manufacturer or operator of the system. In no case shall any identification be visible from a property line.
d.
The design of wind or solar energy systems shall, to the extent reasonably possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend into the natural setting and existing environment.
e.
An applicant shall locate a wind or solar energy system so that tree removal is not required to the extent practical.
f.
The installation of a wind or solar energy system shall conform to the National Electric Code as adopted by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
g.
The installation of a wind or solar energy system is subject to all Jersey Central Power and Light Company requirements for interconnection.
h.
Signs. There shall be no signs that are visible from any public road posted on a small wind generator system or any associated building, except for the manufacturer's or installer's identification, appropriate warning signs, or owner identification.
i.
Utility Notifications and Interconnection. Small wind energy and solar systems that connect to the electric utility shall comply with the New Jersey's Net Metering and Interconnection Standards for Class I Renewable Energy Systems at N.J.A.C. 14:4-9.
j.
Met Towers. A met tower shall be permitted under the same standards, permit requirements, restoration requirements and permit procedures as a small wind energy system.
k.
Standards for and Regulation of Small Wind Energy Systems.
1.
Construction. Tower construction shall be in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Basic Building Code as adopted by the State of New Jersey, and any future amendments and/or revisions to same.
2.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Wind energy conversion system generators and alternators shall be filtered and/or shielded so as to prevent the emission of radio frequency energy which would cause any harmful interference with radio and/or television broadcasting or reception and shall comply with the provisions of Section 47 of the Federal Code of Regulations, Part 15 and subsequent revisions governing said emissions.
3.
The structural design shall be signed and sealed by a professional engineer, registered in the State of New Jersey, certifying that the structural design complies with all of the standards set forth for safety and stability in all applicable codes then in effect in the State of New Jersey and all sections referred to hereinabove. The support tower shall be designed to survive a wind of 120 mph with a three second, 140 mph gust. The design calculations shall include a soil boring at the tower location and a soils analysis. If the soils of the site are not satisfactory for the intended construction, the plans shall be designed to eliminate or overcome the poor soils conditions.
4.
Labeling Requirements. A minimum of one sign shall be posted near ground level on the tower structure warning of high voltage. In addition, the following information shall be posted on a label or labels on the generator or alternator of the small wind energy system.
5.
Utility Company Notification. Jersey Central Power and Light Company shall be notified in writing of any proposed interface with that company's grid prior to installing such interface and shall conform to any legislated requirements governing installations of wind energy conversion systems so as to comply with the Utility Tariff specifications.
6.
Safety. The wind energy conversion system manufacturers shall document that the wind energy conversion system model has operated safely in atmospheric conditions for a period of not less than three months and has provided energy not less than the equivalent of 25% of its predicted annual energy output under a twelve-mile-per-hour annual wind regime.
l.
Miscellaneous.
1.
All electric lines/utility wires shall be buried under ground.
2.
Any mechanical equipment associated with and necessary for operation, including a building for batteries and storage cells, shall been closed with a six-foot high fence. The supporting tower shall also be enclosed with a six-foot high fence unless the base of the tower is not climbable for a distance of 12 feet.
3.
When a building is necessary for storage cells or related mechanical equipment, the building may not exceed 140 square feet in area nor eight feet in height and must be located at least the number of fee equal to the height of the tower from any property line.
m.
Abandonment.
1.
A small wind energy system or ground array(s) solar energy system that is out-of-service for a continuous twelve-month period will be deemed to have been abandoned.
2.
The Administrator may issue a Notice of Abandonment to the owner of a small wind energy or ground array solar energy system that is deemed to have been abandoned. The notice shall be sent return receipt requested.
3.
The owner shall have the right to respond to the Notice of Abandonment within 30 days from notice receipt date.
4.
If the owner provides information that demonstrates the small wind energy or ground array solar energy system has not been abandoned, the Administrator shall withdraw the Notice of Abandonment and notify the owner that the notice has been withdrawn.
5.
If the Administrator determines that the small wind energy or ground array solar energy system has been abandoned, the owner of the energy system shall remove the facility in its entirety at the Owner's sole expense within six months after the owner received the Notice of Abandonment.
6.
When an owner of a wind or solar energy system has been notified to remove same and has not done so six months after receiving said notice, then the Administrator may remove such system and place a lien upon the property for the cost of the removal. If removed by the owner, a demolition permit shall be obtained and the facility shall be removed. Upon removal, the site shall be cleaned, restored and revegetated to blend with the existing surrounding vegetation at the time of abandonment.
n.
Permit Requirements.
1.
Permit. A zoning permit shall be required for the installation of a small wind energy and/or solar energy system. Installation of a small wind energy and/or solar energy system on a nonresidential property shall require site plan approval. A nonresidential application may be eligible for waiver of site plan approval subject to the recommendation of the Development Review Committee and approval of the Planning Board.
2.
Documents. The zoning permit or site plan application shall be accompanied by a plot plan which includes the following:
(a)
Property lines and physical dimensions of the property;
(b)
Location, dimension, and types of existing major structures on the property;
(c)
Location, dimension, and type of the proposed energy system;
(d)
The right-of-way of any public road that is contiguous with the property;
(e)
Any overhead utility lines; and
(f)
Small wind energy system specification, including manufacturer and model, rotor diameter, tower height, tower type (freestanding or guyed).
3.
Fees. The application for a zoning permit for a small wind energy and/or solar energy system must be accompanied by the fee required.
o.
Zoning Permit Procedure.
1.
An owner shall submit an application to the Administrator for a zoning permit for a small wind energy and/or solar energy system. The Administrator shall submit the application to the Fire Chief and Township Engineer for fire and structural safety review.
2.
The Administrator shall issue a permit or deny the application within one month as consistent with Municipal Land Use Law of the date on which the application is received.
3.
If the application is approved, the Administrator will return one signed copy of the application with the zoning permit and retain the other copy with the application.
4.
If the application is rejected, the Administrator will notify the applicant in writing and provide a written statement of the reason why the application was rejected. The applicant may appeal the Administrator's decision pursuant to the appropriate appeal authority. The applicant may reapply if the deficiencies specified by the Administrator are resolved.
§ 35-120.4 Violations.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
a.
It is unlawful for any person to construct, install, or operate a small wind and/or solar energy system that is not in compliance with this ordinance.
b.
Small wind and/or solar energy systems installed prior to the adoption of this ordinance are exempt from the requirements of this ordinance, except for the provisions regarding abandonment.
§ 35-120.5 Administration and Enforcement.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
a.
This ordinance shall be administered by the Administrator or other official as designated.
b.
The Administrator may enter any property for which a permit has been issued under this ordinance to conduct an inspection to determine whether the conditions stated in the permit have been met.
c.
The Administrator may issue orders to abate any violation of this ordinance.
d.
The Administrator may issue a citation for any violation of this ordinance.
e.
The Administrator may refer any violation of this ordinance to legal counsel for enforcement.
§ 35-120.6 Penalties.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
a.
Any person who fails to comply with any provision of this ordinance shall be subject to enforcement and penalties as stipulated in chapter and section of the appropriate zoning code.
b.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Township of Springfield from using any other lawful means to enforce this ordinance.
§ 35-120.7 Severability.
[Ord. No. 2010-31 § II]
The provisions of this ordinance are severable, and the invalidity of any section, subdivision, paragraph or other part of this ordinance shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remainder of the ordinance.