JACKSON — One cost associated with a resident’s attempt to install a permanent electric generator at his home could be dropping following the recent introduction of an ordinance by the Jackson Township Council.
While a resident would still have to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment in order to install a generator at his home, the amount of money that would be required to be placed in an escrow account for professionals’ review of the plan would be cut from $650 to $350.
The ordinance was introduced on Feb. 13. A public hearing is scheduled for the council’s Feb. 26 meeting, after which the council may vote to adopt the ordinance.
Business Administrator Jose Torres said the move is consistent with officials’ goal to trim the costs for residents.
Residents came forward several weeks ago to ask the council for a break on the fees that are required to be paid when going before the zoning board.
Councilman Ken Bressi called the proposed decrease in the escrow amount “one step in the right direction.”
According to officials, the escrow fee covers costs incurred by the township to send professionals out to inspect the viability of an applicant’s variance request and to assess the condition of the site of the application.
Although the proposed ordinance addresses the zoning board escrow fee, it does not change anything else regarding the variance application process.
An applicant will still be required to place a notice in local newspapers stating that a variance is being sought, and nearby residents will still have to be notified individually that an application will be heard by the zoning board.
A $100 administration fee and a $150 resolution fee would remain in place as part of the zoning board process.
In addition, the applicant or his representatives must still appear before the zoning board to make a case for the variance that, when granted, permits a resident to do something at odds with the municipal code.
Following the lengthy power outages caused by superstorm Sandy in October and a nor’easter in November, some people have indicated they might like to install a permanent generator at their home that would keep the power flowing in the event of a power outage.
Some of the people who have indicated they want the ability to place a generator at their home live in Jackson’s age-restricted communities where lot size and property-line setbacks could factor into an individual’s request for a variance from the zoning board.
Although council members agreed with residents that a change in the zoning board escrow fee was overdue, the two groups were still debating the specifications of prospective generator models, specifically in regard to the noise such a piece of equipment would make.