"Board: Solar panel permit wrong"

By Freda R. Savana, Intelligencer, April 6, 2010:

The zoning hearing board upheld an appeal to a homeowner's controversial solar panels in Plumstead.

The Plumstead Zoning Hearing Board has agreed with a homeowner who said the township's zoning officer was wrong when he issued a permit allowing his neighbor to install an array of three solar panels in his backyard.

In its recent decision, the board said the panels, each approximately 16 feet high and 10 feet wide, do not qualify as a residential accessory use, which Plumstead's zoning officer, Rich O'Brien, of Keystone Municipal Services, found them to be.

Andrew and Marlene Capreri, who had the solar panels installed at their 4701 Essex Drive home late last year, have the right to appeal the ruling. They can also file an application to have the panels classified as a conditional use, which would require them to gain approval from the board of supervisors. . . .