August 15, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Franklin Lakes Borough plans to regulate solar energy systems by Frank J. McMahon An ordinance introduced by the Franklin Lakes Council would establish regulations for solar energy systems intended to provide power for the principal use of residential and non-residential borough properties. The ordinance would require that a solar energy system would only be permitted as an accessory use on the same lot as the principal use. All solar energy systems would have to receive the approval of the borough’s planning board prior to installation. In the ordinance, the council states that the borough finds that solar energy is an abundant, renewable, and nonpolluting energy resource and converting solar energy to electricity will reduce the borough’s dependence on non-renewable energy resources and decrease the air and water pollution that results from the use of conventional energy sources. In addition, the council found that solar energy systems will also enhance the reliability and quality of the power grid, reduce peak power demands, and help diversify the state’s energy supply portfolio, and that solar energy systems make the electricity supply market more competitive by promoting customer choice. If the council adopts this ordinance at its public meeting on Aug. 21, solar panels would be permitted as a rooftop installation in any zoning district, but they could not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop in a residential installation. In any flat roof installation, the rooftop installation panels could not exceed three feet in height from the rooftop, but in no event could the placement of the solar panels result in a total height (including building and panels) that is not permitted in the zoning district in which the principal building is located. Ground arrays of solar panels would be permitted in non-residential zones, but not in residential zones. Ground arrays could not be located closer than 50 feet to the nearest residential property zone line, and could not be closer than 25 feet to any property. They would not be permitted in a front or side yard, could not exceed seven feet in height, and could not be used for any other purpose below the ground array. In addition, ground arrays could not exceed 50 percent of the principal building floor area, and would have to be located so that any glare would be directed away from an (continued on page 15)