The Hammonton Gazette 05/03/17 Edition | Page 5

Page 4 • Wednesday , May 3 , 2017 • The Hammonton Gazette

Cruisin ’ MainStreet ... ‘ remember Friday Nights ’ May 19

HAMMONTON — Hundreds of classic cars will fill the streets of downtown Hammonton , in one of the most unique and family-filled classic car shows in the state . MainStreet Hammonton is proud to present the long held annual tradition , “ Cruisin ’ MainStreet ... Remember Friday Nights ” which will be held on Friday , May 19 , 2017 , beginning at 5:30 p . m . The rain date is Saturday , May 20 , 2017 .
Cruisin ’ MainStreet offers a nostalgic glimpse of yesteryear by celebrating the ‘ 50s that includes a bubble gum blowing and hula-hoop contests .

Solar array approved by zoning board of adjustment

ZONING , from Page 1 saro ’ s roof that he said is being caused by a wind tunnel that formed after the construction of the nearby Royce Run townhome complex . Massaro said he was concerned about entering a 20- year lease with ACOS Energy for the roof-mounted solar panels and running into complications caused by more wind damage .
“ Since they built those condos across the street from me , I ’ m in a wind tunnel and as a result , my roof has been ripped off three times … I ’ m going to sign a 20- year lease with the solar company . I ’ m just scared that it ’ s going to rip off again , and we ’ re going to have a problem with the solar panels ,” Massaro said .
Nehmad cited the age of the house ( 58 years ) as an additional reason that the solar panels should be permitted on the ground because the old infrastructure of the home may be too old to support the 20-foot by 33-foot array . However , Nehmad said an engineer has not yet assessed the property to confirm or deny whether this concern is warranted .
“ In 1959 , his home was constructed , so there are potentially some issues . We have not have had an engineer in to assert a study to ascertain whether or not that home , which is clearly an older home , would be sufficient to support this type of a structure . … It is a 20-year lease , so we ’ re talking about what would be close to an 80-year-old home by the end of the lease ,” Nehmad said .
Massaro said he has spoken with each of his adjacent neighbors and both said they have no problem with the array being installed in the backyard . The board asked many questions about the specifics of the proposed array , including the reasoning for its location within the yard . Board chairman John Lyons explained to Nehmad that because the town code does not allow for ground-mount solar arrays in residential zones , it is important to diligently ask many questions and review each application on a caseby-case basis before granting a use variance .
“[ Ground-mount solar arrays ] are not permitted , so , that ’ s why we ultimately discuss them here and the board — in consolidation with the professionals — determines what works and what ’ s effective . So , the reason I think we ’ re sort of asking these questions is so that the board will do its due diligence to make sure that the applicant ’ s solar array is not put in such a position in a yard that it is accidentally burdening the neighbors ,” Lyons said .
Nehmad assured the board that the array wouldn ’ t be a burden due to the foliage ( maple , pine and cedar trees ) that flanks it .
Board engineer Kevin Dixon said during his report on the application that the applicant presented enough “ credible hardship testimony ” for the board to make a decision but urged them to continue
There will be plenty of food , in-store specials and fun for the entire family .
“ Our corporate sponsor will be BB & T Bank . We are delighted to have BB & T Bank continue their support this year . Action Auto Body and Al & Rich ’ s will also be event sponsors . Thanks to these generous sponsors and the Cruisin ’ Classics , we have been able to offer this annual tradition for all of these years .” Cruisin ’ Main- Street Chair Angela Donio said .
For more information , call 567- 9014 or visit www . downtownhammonton . com .
to ensure that ground-mount solar arrays do not multiply in residential areas in the future and to continue carefully reviewing them on a case-by-case basis .
“ One of the things that we always want to be cognizant of — and this board has had its share of ground-mount solar arrays to evaluate — is the idea they would proliferate through a neighborhood and become a visual blight on the neighborhood , which is basically the reason why they were restricted to roof-mount to begin with ,” Dixon said .
Contingent with a motion for approval of the use variance , the board recommended the applicant have an official survey of the property signed and sealed by an engineer , and that the shrubbery be planted along the rear and sides of the array in order to better blend it into the setting of the backyard .
After Massaro and Nehmad each agreed to the conditions proposed , a motion to approve the use variance was made by board member John Adolf , seconded by board member Anthony DeMarco and approved unanimously .
In other business , the board unanimously approved resolutions for George Reed and Kessler Management LLC ’ s applications , which were heard during last month ’ s meeting . The motion to approve the adoption of the resolution for Reed was made by board member Nicholas Polito and seconded by Adolf , while the motion to approve the adoption of Kessler Management LLC ’ s resolution was made by board member Michael Messina and seconded by DeMarco .
The board was originally scheduled to hear applications for use variances for the preliminary and final major site plan for 360 Fairview LLC / Integrity Medical Devices and for the waiver of a site plan for Vinyl Brewing LLC , but each of those applicants chose to postpone their hearing until next month , according to Lyons .
Because of the increased possibility of not having a quorum for the May 25 meeting , Lyons called for a special meeting to be held on Thursday , May 11 at 7 p . m . in town hall chambers .