Land Use Changes Not Sitting Well with Residents

Under a new proposed Land Use Ordinance in Oradell, residents would not continue to have the ability to appeal a Zoning Board of Adjustment's award of a D variance. But following Wednesday night's public hearing on the ordinance, officials may consider restoring that part of the ordinance.

The rewritten ordinance took three years to complete by a committee comprised of Mayor Dianne Didio, Murray and representatives from both the Planning and Zoning Boards.

The right to appeal a Zoning Board's decision is best known across town from the issue. A residential group CAPO was formed and brought their argument before the Mayor and Council that the granting of a D variance for the project did not fit the borough's Master Plan. That argument was held up .

During a straw poll of the audience members revealed that the entire group was in favor of keeping the appeal process in place.

Approximately 13 residents spoke during the meeting to voice concerns about the change in the appeal process to the second most popular topic - the location of a generator on a residential property. 

After and the , residents in Oradell have twice had to resort to generators to supply power to their homes.

"I live on Demarest by St. Joe's and the area is prone to flooding," Mike Kirk said. "The houses are tight to each other and if you drive around town, many houses are tight to one another. The reason why I bring up the side yard generator issue is that your ordinance calls for a 10-foot setback while most generators require 5-feet from a window or door. Depending on the situation or house that could be 15-feet from the house or require residents to place them in the rear of the home with an increased installation cost."

According to the 100-page ordinance backup or standby generators could not exceed a 65 decibel level and could only be located in the rear or side yard of the main building or structure only, provided that they do not extend more than five feet from the building or structure and a minimum of ten feet from any property line.

"I just purchased a standby generator and the standard decibel level is 66 but your ordinance states that 65 decibels is the maximum level," Howard Koval said.

Mayor-elect Joseph Murray stated that the Ordinance would be amended to comply with the industry standard of 66 decibels. 

He further stated that the Council will take into consideration all public comments and review what legal changes they can make to the ordinance.

Residents who could not attend the public hearing are encouraged to send a letter with their concerns to Borough Clerk/Borough Administrator Laura Graham by next Wednesday, Nov. 16.

The hearing will also be broadcast on OPTV on channels 77 and 28 at a later date.