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Council refers zoning amendment to Planning Board to allow solar project on former dump site
Summary
Hamilton Township council voted May 20 to refer a proposed amendment to land‑use regulations to the Planning Board so a planned outdoor solar facility can proceed on land that was previously used as a dump; a resident publicly supported locating the array on brownfield land.
Hamilton Township council members voted on May 20 to refer a proposed amendment to the township land‑use code to the Planning Board so a planned outdoor solar facility can proceed on property that was previously used as a dump.
Council President explained the referral was prompted by a solar‑field project whose footprint included parcels that were not expressly permitted for outdoor solar in the township's existing zoning districts. The council approved Resolution 125‑262 to seek the Planning Board's review under N.J.S.A. 40:55D‑26.
Why it matters: updating zoning language to allow outdoor solar in specified commercial districts will enable the township to site renewable energy on brownfield property and could lower municipal energy costs while avoiding conversion of farmland.
Council discussion and public comment focused on the project site and the process. A council member said the change would not broadly alter zoning outside the areas needed for the solar project. Ed Pfeiffer, a member of the public and a longtime environmental‑commission volunteer, praised the site selection: "...I think you're really doing something that's a good a good thing," he said, noting that siting solar on a former dump (a brownfield) is preferable to using farmland.
The resolution was moved and seconded; the clerk recorded affirmative votes during roll call. The clerk recorded "Yes" votes from Miss Phillips, Mister Williams, Mister Caro and Mister Cai and the council declared the motion carried to refer the ordinance to the Planning Board for review.
"We are adding verbiage to allow for solar, an outdoor solar facility, in the general, commercial, zone," the council president said, describing the narrow scope of the change and the project's purpose.
Discussion versus action: the council's vote was a referral to the Planning Board, not final adoption; the Planning Board will review the proposed text and return a recommendation before any final ordinance is adopted.
Next steps: Planning Board review under N.J.S.A. 40:55D‑26, public hearings at the Planning Board as required, and subsequent council consideration if the board returns a recommendation.
Public comment that evening expressed support for locating the array on brownfield land and called the change "economical" and likely to save taxpayers money over time.
