Zoners Give Couple Go-Ahead On Controversial Solar Plan

Ruling on what had become a contentious proposal, South Whitehall zoners unanimously agreed Wednesday night to allow Luis and Christine Cordero to put up a solar power generating system in their yard. 

The decision came after the Corderos, of Parkland Drive, submitted a land plan that showed the system would rise 7 feet, 4 inches -- not the 16 feet initially indicated in paperwork to the township.

Though happy with the zoners' decision, Luis Cordero, who attended the hearing without his wife, later expressed frustration with the process and township officials. He said the issue has dragged on for two years.

"I'm very bitter at this township," he said. "I'm only beautifying my property, and they're going to dictate what I do with my property?"

Despite the vote, the debate could continue.

Cordero said after the hearing that he might now ask township permission to build a pole barn on his property, and install the solar panels on its roof rather than on his property grounds. Zoners have previously denied Cordero's request to build a pole barn, but Cordero said this would be smaller than intially proposed and in a different location.

In making their ruling, zoners said that the solar power generating system could only be used to address the Corderos' electricity needs. They said the couple must maintain a 5-foot fence, and that the system must be 6 feet from the fence line and 16 feet from the north property line.

The base of the system has already been installed, and zoning Board Chairman Don S. Klein asked for an explanation, given that the Corderos had not yet received permission to do so. 

Shawn Reshetar, vice president of construction at Aztec Solar Power in Wayne, blamed a scheduling error. He said installation was scheduled in anticipation of a favorable ruling, but that word had not gotten to the contractor to delay installation when the ruling was delayed.

The township initially denied a permit for the solar panel generating system, in part because the township zoning ordinance does not allow for one in a low-density residential area. But the Corderos' neighbors also had opposed the plan over concerns about aesthetics, safety and noise.

The case raised questions about whether the township's zoning ordinance is antiquated.  Currently, township officials are developing an alternate energy ordinance or zoning upgrade that would set guidelines for design standards.

Luis Corderos said he anticipated the $28,000 system would generate enough power to reduce his energy bill by one third. He said he hopes to qualify for federal and state grants to help with costs.

Should he get permission for a pole barn, and installation of the solar panel on its roof, the base of the system recently installed would be removed, he said.