Zoning Board Gives Nod to Solar At Old Drive-In

It’ll be endless rows of solar panels, instead of endless rows of cars, at the site of the old Parkway Drive-In soon, after the township zoning board granted final site plan approval to West Deptford Solar, LLC at last week’s meeting.

The 5.5-megawatt array, which will sit on 56 acres along Crown Point Road next to Woodbury Creek, got the go-ahead with conditions, though, after emotional residents raised concerns over a flooding hazard from a section of woods along the edge of the site.

Seven residents, among a group of more than 20 who attended the meeting, spoke about flooding problems that have arisen in the neighborhood behind the proposed solar field, along Meadowcroft and Lancing roads.

Lourin Stahl, who lives on Meadowbrook, said flooding was bad enough that she had to spend thousands of dollars to fix damage in her basement and install a drain system to ensure she wouldn’t have to repeat the experience.

“I’m not the type of person who can afford emotionally, or financially, to do the same thing twice,” she said.

Stahl also brought up concerns over work that had cleared out some of the wooded area, which she said seemed to affect the potential for flooding.

“Before, I couldn’t see Route 295,” she said. “Now, I could give you a traffic report.”

Jim Clancy, an engineer for the developers, assured the board there were no plans to cut any of the wooded area, though some small trees–those no wider than 4 inches–might have to be cut down to put in a new fence along one side of the property.

“No one wants to remove trees,” Clancy said.

Bob Fitzpatrick, who lives on Lancing Road, was one of several residents concerned over the possible affects on the water table, and asked if trenches or retention basins had been considered at all.

“Everything about this is good,” he said. “This is the best thing we could use the space for, but let’s not hurt the neighbors.”

Stan Bitgood, the zoning board’s engineer, said stormwater issues had been addressed at the site, and the construction process shouldn’t change anything.

“In my professional opinion, the water table will not be affected by this project,” Bitgood said.

Bitgood did, however, propose a meeting between engineers from the township and and the developer to address potential issues at the site related to the flooding concerns.

That meeting was the major stipulation by the board in approving the project, along with changes to the proposed number and type of trees currently in the plan.