To Clarence “Chuck” Leger, the new emergency generator built across from his condominium sounds like a tractor trailer truck starting its engine.
To the 90 elderly residents inside the Wesley Heights apartment building across the road from Leger, it’s the sound of continued power for their respirators and air conditioners — the sound of the things that help keep them alive and healthy.
It’s those conflicting interests that Planning and Zoning Commission members are trying to keep in mind as they evaluate the generator, which was built without their required approval.
Tuesday, members of the Planning and Zoning Commission paid a visit to the disputed generator to get a sample of the noise to form their own opinions. The commission will ultimately decide whether the generator should be moved.
“We came here quite concerned seeing this ourselves,” said Anthony Pogoda, the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The generator has riled up neighbors and Planning and Zoning Commissioners alike for more than its sound and appearance. The generator, installed by the property manager United Methodist Homes, was never approved by the commission.
That’s the required procedure, but a mistake in the building department resulted in a building permit being issued before the Planning and Zoning Commission even saw plans for the generator.
“It was put there without any forethought,” Pogoda said. “You can’t do that.”
The neighborhood
The Wesley Heigths apartments are part of a 39-acre complex called Wesley Village, which has rental cottages, apartments and an assisted living facility. The whole site is owned and managed by United Methodist Homes. The average resident age is mid to high 80s.
But a condominium complex – The Views of Long Hill – juts into a portion of the 39-acre Wesley Village campus, sitting on land United Methodist Homes used to own.
The front yards of some of those condos overlook the back of the Wesley Heights apartment buildings — and the newly-installed generator.
As neighbors in The Views of Long Hill began noticing the generator, standing about 12 feet tall, they started researching how it was approved without them noticing. When neighbors found out the generator plans had never been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission, they brought their concerns to the commission.
The Sound Test
Fast forward to Tuesday, when commissioners and several residents of The Views of Long Hill met outside near the generator. They hoped to catch a sample of the noise from the generator, as part of the commission’s investigation into whether it should be moved.
But representatives from United Methodist Homes initially told everyone the generator would not be tested.
“We did not initially want to start this today for two reasons,” said Robert Congdon, the vice president of development and public relations for United Methodist Homes. “It’s not hooked up and therefore it won’t be under full load. And secondly because we are investigating some additional baffling that would help further control the noise.”
After a tense discussion among neighbors and commissioners (click play on the video above to see some of their comments and hear the generator), Congdon arranged to run the generator that afternoon.
He stressed to the residents of The Views of Long Hill that the generator is required by the health department, and helps the residents survive hot summers, cold winters and power outages.
When the power goes out, Congdon said, neighbors are welcome in the apartment building to take advantage of its generated power.
Congdon said the generator would likely run during 15-minute tests each week, during 30-minute monthly tests and when the apartment complex loses power.
Tuesday, a crowd of neighbors had gathered to hear the generator, and many sat on lawn chairs set up in their front yards.
After the test, neighbors had mixed reactions. Some said it wasn’t that loud, others said it sounded like a truck starting up. And many said the sight of the generator bothered them more than the sound.
“We understand the need for it,” said Catherine Leger, who collected signatures for a petition to have the generator moved. “And that’s wonderful. I understand. But I want it moved.”
Sticky Spot
Still, there were some residents who said they weren’t bothered by the generator. One, who declined to give his name to avoid getting a hard time from the neighbors, said he understood the need for emergency power.
“It does not bother me,” the man said. “You’ve got people in there on respirators and oxygen. Last week the power went down for an hour. What are these people supposed to do? Die?”
George Durkota, whose condo is not directly in front of the generator, said he wasn’t too concerned either.
“I’m just curious about what’s going on,” Durkota said, after looking the generator up and down.
Then there’s the Planning and Zoning Commission member, Leon Sylvester, who also owns one of the condos directly across from the generator.
“It’s ridiculous what they’re doing here,” said Sylvester. “That stinks. Find another place for it. I could show you a lot of different places on your property where it could be.”
Wait and See
Pogoda said the Planning and Zoning Commission will ultimately review alternate sites for the generator to see if its feasible to move it. He doesn’t expect the decision to take place at the commission’s next meeting.
“It has to be within their practical limits,” Pogoda said. “You have to be practical, too. But, you have to be conscious of the environment and of the neighbors too. Right now, the neighbors are all riled up.”
