Ordinance Allows Solar Systems in All Districts, Committeewoman Says

To The Editor:

This is in response to a letter from Luke Morgan of New York who stated that Bedminster Township is considering an ordinance to ban solar parking canopies in commercial parking lots. This is not accurate. Our deliberations at the meeting in question concerned only the commercial center in Bedminster’s portion of The Hills development. Since Mr. Morgan is not a local resident, he may not know that The Hills is a large residential development spanning two towns. The portion of The Hills in Bedminster is comprised of mostly townhouses and condominiums with one shopping center across from an office building.

The proposed ordinance allows roof-top solar systems in every district. It allows parking lot canopy-mounted solar energy systems in almost all office districts and some residential districts. A variance is required before the canopies are allowed in most residential districts; the Village Neighborhood, which has small shops and restaurants, and The Hills.

Most of the townhouses and condominiums in Bedminster’s portion of The Hills are off Hills Drive, a lovely, landscaped, residential road lined with mature trees. The large parking lot is in front of the commercial and office buildings and is very visible from much of Hills Drive. I live off Hills Drive and I stated that I did not want to see the large lot full of tall metal canopies, obscuring the trees and plantings that are there now.

My statements were made after making every effort to solicit the views of residents: I held a coffee in March where I had copies of the newly released draft ordinance. I emailed many residents asking them to review the draft and email or phone me. The Township Committee held four public meetings where we discussed the ordinance and solicited input, we published it and it has been on the town website since it was introduced (bedminster.us). Despite all this, no one expressed an opinion about whether to put parking lot canopies at the shopping/office center in The Hills. Therefore, Mr. Morgan’s statement that I did not ask the residents what they want is incorrect.

Moreover, there are still opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed solar ordinance. The Township Committee will hold another hearing before voting on it. Interested parties can speak at one of these meetings, which will be advertised, or contact Bedminster Township at 908-212-7000 or JAS@Bedminster.us.

Carolyn D. Freeman

member, Bedminster Township Committee