CAPE MAY – Atlantic City Electric’s (ACE) planned upgrade of the Cape May substation gained conceptual approval from the city’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Nov. 20.
The plan presented was identical to the one ACE put on display at a Nov. 4 open house at Congress Hall.
A neighborhood group has opposed the project citing health and safety issues along with concerns that the area is prone to flooding, which the group claims will only be made worse by the construction. The neighbors also worry about the impact a larger substation, moved to the edge of Elmira Street, will have on property values in the immediate area and the city’s historic landmark designation given the substation’s proximity to the historic district.
Members of the neighborhood group were present for the HPC meeting. Concerns about area flooding were not ones the HPC was equipped by charter or expertise to evaluate.
City Council member Roger Furlin, a liaison to the HPC, reminded the group that the proper place for that consideration would be at the Zoning and Planning Boards which are staffed with an engineer.
Following some discussion of a free-standing wall that is part of the design, along with the presentation of the fake windows in the substation control building, the ACE plan received conceptual approval from the HPC.
ACE still needs to present a more detailed plan to city boards.
The state Department of Environmental Protection must also consider the detailed plans before permits are issued.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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