The focal point of the meeting was the proposed expansion of the PSNG substation, which required a D2 use variance due to its non-conforming status under current zoning regulations. The application was driven by the need to comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) standards, which mandate improvements to prevent potential voltage drops and power loss. The substation’s significance is underscored by its role in providing electricity to a large portion of Maple Shade’s population.

PSNG representatives detailed the technical aspects of the expansion, which includes a new seven breaker ring bus arrangement to enhance system reliability. The project involves maintaining the existing 69 to 13 KV setup, adding a second control house, and overhauling the security infrastructure. The planned upgrades also feature landscaping improvements aimed at visually integrating the substation with its surroundings, following feedback from the township’s Site Plan Review Advisory Board.

A significant concern for the board was ensuring that the expansion would not negatively impact the residential and commercial areas surrounding the substation. The proposed landscaping plan includes the planting of 84 trees and 162 shrubs to obscure the facility from view, especially for travelers along Route 73. The landscaping efforts are designed to maintain sightlines for neighboring businesses while complying with local ordinances. Discussions highlighted the need for a variance for the 15-foot buffer requirement due to existing underground utilities and access drives.

Security was another major topic, with proposals for an eight-foot perimeter fence, equipped with advanced surveillance systems to ensure the facility’s safety. The upgrades reflect a response to community preferences, avoiding the use of barbed wire while maintaining safety protocols. The facility will be monitored remotely, and local emergency services will receive training to safely manage any incidents at the site.

The board also addressed logistical aspects of the expansion, such as traffic and construction impacts. Although construction is expected to last 18 to 24 months, PSNG assured that disruptions would be minimal, with a phased approach to maintain continuous operation. Construction traffic will primarily use Willow Road, minimizing the effect on Route 73. The board emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety, leading to an agreement to install sidewalks along the road frontages, contingent on DOT approval.

In addition to the substation expansion, the board considered a separate application regarding a non-conforming oversized garage on Charer Avenue. This application involved reducing the structure’s size and implementing a deed restriction to limit its use to a garage or children’s play area, preventing any future conversion to business or residential units. The board required consolidation of the property’s three lots into a single tax lot to ensure clear ownership and management records.