Concord to open new hearing on alternative energy

Concord Township is still
without a solar and wind energy ordinance. A hearing into the ordinance started
in February was continued to March, but has now been closed without a vote.

After a series of changes and
amendments to the original proposal, supervisors decided to close the hearing
and advertize a new one.

The basics of the original
ordinance remain. Solar arrays of 1,000 square feet or less are permitted in
all zoning districts, while property owners wanting larger arrays would need to
get a special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board. The ZHB would also need
to grant exception for all wind facilities.

Alternative energy systems are
for on-site use only, not for commercial energy production.

Revisions included points that
came up during the February hearing.
One such suggestion was allowing for homeowners to put solar arrays in
front yards. The original ordinance prohibited front yard use, but solicitor
Hugh Donaghue recommended the change.

The revision allows the front
yard use “…only if the applicant is able to demonstrate that no other
alternative is feasible…”

Also changed is wording
regarding noise from wind turbines. The new wording will reflect
recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s
Model Ordinance for Wind Energy in Pennsylvania.

As previously reported, one
resident in February expressed concern over inaudible low resonance frequency
coming from large turbines and the highly audible fan-like noise that would
come from smaller units.

Township engineer Nate Cline
said at the time that the township noise ordinance would cover those concerns,
but the change replaces that code with the DEP recommendation.

Another change requires an
applicant for a wind system to include information about decommissioning the
unit at the time of the application.

One recommended change not
implemented came from the Historic Commission. The ordinance prohibited
alternative energy facilities within 200 feet of an historic structure. The
commission, Cline reported to the board, said it had no objection to an array
being within that distance.

Another recommendation from
Donaghue during the March 1 session, was changing the provision that said only
one wind turbine be allowed on a single tract of land. Donaghue said that would
be restrictive on a large property.

Supervisors’ Chairman Dominic
A. Pileggi added that the ordinance should also accommodate newer technology in
wind energy, technology that brings in newer, smaller designs for turbines.

Other business

During the regular session of
the supervisors’ meeting, Supervisor Colleen Morrone said the township is
continuing to develop a Town Watch program. She said the Safety Committee was
preparing the paperwork to incorporate the Town Watch program as a separate
entity.

• Morrone, citing the frequency
of thefts from vehicles, unveiled a doorknocker-type of card to be hung on
automobile rearview mirrors. One side says, “Stop thief. There are no valuables
in this vehicle.” The reverse says to the driver, “Remove valuables, hide your
things, lock your car, take your keys.”

It also says, “Concord CARES.
Crime Awareness + Reduction Education = Safety.”

• Morrone recently received the
Republican Party endorsement as a candidate for Delaware County Council.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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