Planning Commission Can't Decide On Solar Panels

Tracee (if I may be so informal):

You've taken a comprehensive approach and are to be applauded. Some people talk about saving the environment. You have taken major steps and invested much money to reduce your environmental impact. Thank you.

You didn't ask for feedback on your choices, but I can't resist. My feedback is in bold.

1) living in a small house, with just the space we need. - This is fantastic and probably the #1 thing. I wish more people would do the same. Less to heat, furnish, maintain. Lower taxes.

2) flourescent lightbulbs - good for the environment and very cost effective.
3) efficient appliances, including a high efficiency furnace. - Great move
4) no central air conditioning - You are a brave soul, but with thoughtful closing of the curtains, a few fans, and perhaps a window AC unit, you should be fine.
5) wood burning fireplace insert - renewable and beautiful. Some issues with CO2 and soot, but I'm supportive.
6) a yard with very little grass to mow - I'm jealous. We mow about 3 acres. I like the open space and freedom to run around, but it is terrible from an environmental perspective.
7) rain water collected from the roof to water the garden - Very good. Old ways are sometimes best.
8) steel standing seam roof with lifetime guarantee - You'll never have to replace it and your roof is beautiful. I also like the sound of rain on a metal roof.
9) hardi board siding with lifetime guarantee and lifetime paint - Hardi board is a great long term solution to siding houses. Expensive up front, but little or no maintenance.
10)new insulation, installed when new siding was installed. - Thank you. If someone's home is under insulated, this is very likely the best thing to start with. (Full disclosure - I work for Owens Corning at the S&T center in Granville.)
11)generator purchased after the ice storm because i "never wanted to be that cold again" - but it is very noisy, very dirty and very environmentally unfriendly, so we will only use it in extreme emergencies. - We also bought one after the big storm. Ours is a 15KW that starts automatically when we lose power and runs on propane. We lose power about 10 times a year. We have electric heat and are on well / septic, so without electricity things get unpleasant in a hurry. Hauling water from the pond to flush toilets isn't fun.
11) ride bikes to work when weather allows Exercise, cheaper, and great for the environment. Please ride safely and wear a helment.

Here are some things that we have done to try to be more environmentally responsible
* Installed a geothermal heating system last year. It also has the hot water assist.
* When we bought our property in 1991, we bought 10 extra acres that was landlocked and in pasture. My wife and I planted a few thousand trees on this property in the early 90s'. Now we've got about 5 acres of new woods where it was pasture.
* Replaced 17 year water heater, 3 year old dishwasher, and 20 year old refrigerator with more energy efficient models one.
* Had a 0.4 acre pond dug. (Given the diesel used to dig it this might have been a negative, but it sure is nice and gives birds and fish a place to live.)

higher cost, less power

Nospin's comments about "supposed" global warming reveal who has the real "agenda." I hope the Karaffas don't let the vocal bellyaching of a right wing kook or two get them down. The many people I've talked to overwhelmingly support your effort and investment to bring solar power to the Village. We admire what you're doing.

The Village zoning code doesn't seem to mention solar power at all. This is an example of an early adopter bringing a new issue to the table. If the Village zoning law's silence means it isn't currently legal, fear not. The Village Council will change the law, and the path will be clear for future solar panels. You will have cleared the way not only for yourself, but for others as well. Thanks for making the world a better place one roof at a time.

Dr. Karaffa,

To my knowledge no one is opposed to allowing you your views on global warming and your means to mitigate any such damage you may cause due to your use of fossil fuels, et al. Even though it is now documented that global warming alarmist Al Gore recently spent 10% MORE on fossil fuel consumption even after installing solar powered extravagances to the tune of $500,000. Point being, the jury is still out on any cost / energy savings from such devices.

The real issues are that you installed the panel without permission from the regulatory district you have chosen to live. Ignorance of said law is not a valid argument. You can always apply for a retroactive variance, which brings up point number two: Living in the Architectural Review Overlay District (AROD) you have to meet 4 criteria. Not 3, not 2, not one. In fact, if you fail to meet any of the 4 criteria, your solar panels can be denied. So, with that in mind here are the criteria:

The purpose of the Architectural Review Overlay District is to preserve and encourage good architectural styles within the Village, reflecting the distinct phases of the Village's history. Therefore, in addition to the other requirements of this Zoning Ordinance, all applications for Zoning and Architectural Permits in the Architectural Review Overlay District which propose new construction, exterior modification and/or structural alteration shall be subject to review by the Planning Commission to determine that the proposed new construction, exterior modification or structural alteration:
(a) Is stylistically compatible with other new, renovated and old structures in the Village District.
(b) Contributes to the improvement and upgrading of the historical character of the Village District.
(c) Contributes to the continuing vitality of the District.
(d) Protects and enhances examples of the physical surroundings in which past generations lived.

Personally, I think you're 0 for 4, but I still respect your right to do to your home whatever you want - within reason. You just picked the wrong part of the village to live. Historical districts are difficult, and for good reason. If everyone were allowed to add things to their house based on personal political views, we'd have all sorts of wild stuff going on. Sadly, your solar panels represent a Pandora's Box for everyone else in the AROD district.

Imagine a firm believer in personal protection building a gun turret to ensure the safety of his family from outside intrusion. Outlandish? Yep. But Pandora can get out of control sometimes.

By the way, when the power was out most of the day last weekend, I had power to. My natural gas generator kicked on immediately and kept my family comfortably cool, watching the US Open.

I just want everyone to know that, when the power was out last weekend in Granville for several hours, we had power. That’s because we are an “electric power production facility” according to our contract with the “Ohio Power Company.” When the sun is shining, we are producing more power than we can use, and that power is fed into the grid for our neighbors to use. This is power, produced in the Ohio, with no pollution, with no dependence on foreign governments and no reliance on corporations making obscene profits. It’s easy to see that solar and other renewable energy sources are not like sky lights or other architectural changes some compare them to. The only slippery slope we are in danger of initiating is that slope leading to energy independence and the end of global warming.
Tracee Karaffa 311 N. Pearl St.