Wednesday 23 May 2012, 7:30 pm at the Kingston Firehouse
Kingston Greenways Association (KGA) is giving a Program
on scenic byways – the national and New Jersey
programs and our own local Millstone Valley National Byway which includes Kingston.
(for directions and details see attachment at the bottom of this post)
This program is of particular interest
since a major intrusion to the Scenic
Byway (and the historic setting of Rockingham and the environs of Kingston) is threatened.
The Trap
Rock Industries proposal for a solar array on the beautiful meadow array opposite Rockingham unfortunately had to be approved
with variances by the Franklin Township Planning Board, since a solar array is a permitted use for the site
.
Alternatives are available and were suggested by KVAC at both the Franklin
Township Historic Preservation Committee and Planning Board meetings.
The approval does not mean that Trap Rock Industries is obligated to build one
of its arrays on this beautiful meadow. It can still change the location
as per Robert von Zumbusch's recommendations.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Trap Rock Industries proposed to construct two solar arrays at the Franklin Township Planning Board hearing of
Wednesday May 16,
The one
of concern to us is the one proposed to be installed on the beautiful
meadow across from Rockingham and its parking lot.
This is just
about the worst possible location, since it is smack on the Millstone
Scenic/Historic Byway and it also takes away open space, which is
part of the Rockingham setting.
We vigorously and vociferously opposed this location
Robert von Zumbush presented the following alternative plan:
Reasons why solar array units should not be placed on the tract (Block 1.01,
Lot 9.01) opposite the Rockingham parking lot and suggested alternate
location :
The alternate would:
1. Utilize the adjacent cleared land (the pipeline easement) to provide
a shadow free adjacent area;
2. Use existing roads for access rather than create the need for a new
access road
3. Not require the substantial re-grading of the site.
4. Utilize the utility poles that are to be used for the currently
proposed array on Block 5.02, Lot 172.04.
5. Allow the existing agricultural land to retain its agricultural
assessment and not require roll-back taxes.
6. not be in the D&RCC "A" Zone.
This alternate would also obviate the need for landscape buffers (both along
Rte 603 and behind the residential lots on Laurel Avenue; however, the
alternate would require tree removal and presumably mitigation in the form
of a contribution to the Franklin Township Tree Fund.
Of course, the main advantage is that the HCS/CES Environs, the National
Scenic Byway Corridor, the context of Rockingham State Historic Site and a
route that links Crossroads of the American Revolution "Essential Sites" (of
which Rockingham is one) are not negatively impacted.
It really should be a "win-win" for all.
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
Since a Solar Array is a permitted use for the site, the Planning Board had little choice but to approve the Traprock application.
That does not mean that Traprock
has to build its array on this sensitive location. It can still change the location as per Robert von Zumbusch's recommendations.
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