Generator Talk Causes Sparks in Sparta

Sparks flew in Sparta last week as the Township Council introduced an ordinance that would set standards for the installation of standby generators on residential lots.

The ordinance was drawn up and discussed by the planning board following Hurricane Sandy, when most of the township lost power for about a week.

Land-use ordinances are written and approved by the planning board, and sent to the council for review. Once the council approves an ordinance it is sent back to the planning board for final approval. The council can request changes in the ordinance, but the planning board can reject the request.

The council last week was acting on a revised land-use ordinance that would allow stand-by generators on residential lots.

Deputy Mayor Molly Whilesmith said she thought the ordinance was going to include language that made it clear that the proposed rules would only apply to standby generators and not portable generators.

At a previous meeting Whilesmith said some residents could be confused by the terminology.

Councilman Jerry Murphy said the phrase “portable generators” was not included in the ordinance because the rules would only apply to standby generators, an issue that would be made clear when the resident picked up the application for a generator.

“The ordinance should be self-explanatory,” Whilesmith said.

Township attorney Thomas Ryan said the council, before it takes a final vote, could add language to address Whilesmith’s concerns. Such a change would not be considered substantive and would not require a revote by the planning board, he said.

A standby generator is a permanent structure and can range in cost from $2,000 to more than $10,000. Installation of such a generator requires planning board approval.

A portable generator is small enough to be carried by one or more persons and can cost between $200 and $1,000. No permit is required to operate a portable generator.

The proposed  standby generator ordinance calls for 5-foot setbacks from a side or rear yard; they can not be installed in a front yard; can not exceed 20 kilowatts; and maintenance operations can only take place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. from  Mondays to Saturdays.