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Norton BZA approves variance for ground-mounted solar array at 3220 Easton Road
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a ground-mounted solar array that exceeds accessory-structure square footage limits, with a condition to comply with applicable building codes. Neighbors raised concerns about TV interference; the installer's representative said modern equipment should not affect adjacent reception.
The Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Norton on Jan. 22, 2025 approved a variance allowing the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at 3220 Easton Road.
Zoning Administrator Bill Freeman told the board the requested variance covers only the extra square footage that a freestanding solar array would add to the lot; he said the application did not request changes to placement or use. Freeman also noted the city's code requires the owner to repair or remove an array if it is out of service for more than six months.
Applicant Douglas P. D. Harpark told the board he and his wife are longtime Norton residents and are pursuing solar as an investment to “save us some money and be an investment.” Harpark said the system would produce about “22000 k w's a year” and would cover his household electricity use for a year.
Jason G. Greco, identifying himself as owner and partner of BGM Environmental Incorporated and BGM Solar Partners and the project's representative, said FirstEnergy requires systems be no greater than 120% of a household's expected usage and that the Harpark project is about 107% of the property's usage. Greco said the array would include about 21 panels, each roughly 7 feet by 4 feet, and said the panels' total footprint was estimated at roughly 735 square feet by the applicant and up to “probably around let's say a thousand square feet” as a conservative installer estimate. Greco also said the system foundation was designed for 109-mph winds, that electrical work would be subcontracted to Hillshire Clark and permitted as required, and that the design work was done by GPD Group.
A neighbor, Carol Parche of 3293 Creekside Drive, asked whether the array would interfere with reception from an existing rooftop antenna that currently receives about 60 HDTV channels. Greco explained that the system's DC lines would run underground to an inverter inside the house, and that modern insulated inverters used for high-end residential systems are designed to prevent electromagnetic interference. Greco told the board, “from adjacent property owner perspective, there's absolutely 0 interference that occur for radio signals.”
Board members asked additional questions about location and visibility. Greco said the array would sit roughly 30 feet behind the applicant's accessory building (described as a barn or garage) and would be approximately 20 feet from one property line; at its fullest extended length the array would measure about 33 feet high. One board member observed that tree coverage likely would keep the array from being visible from nearby roads.
A motion to approve the variance passed on roll call: Mr. Mullins — yes; Mr. Swadenko — yes; Mr. Pekaric — yes; Ms. Fletcher — yes. The motion included the condition that the project not exceed applicable building codes. After the vote staff advised the applicant to contact city staff to obtain permitting materials.
The board's decision authorizes the additional square footage for a ground-mounted solar array at 3220 Easton Road while leaving other code requirements — including permitting, inspections and the city's maintenance/removal rule for out-of-service equipment — in effect.
