Zoning Ordinances Keep Up With The Times

Archbold officials are proving again that this community has forward-thinking government. Council is getting out in front of an issue before it becomes a community problem.

Village officials are reviewing and studying possible zoning code changes.

The zoning code protects property owners. It prevents people from doing something that could reduce property values.

Zoning is why noisy industrial operations aren't allowed in residential neighborhoods, or why retail establishments aren't in areas where there is no parking. Some may not like zoning code restrictions, but they are laws to protect everyone.

Recently, council took preventative action to essentially ban the use of outdoor wood-burning boilers or furnaces. The devices are popular for heating homes. In a nutshell, the devices burn wood in a firebox to heat water. They're located outside the home, in a small shed. The hot water is then piped into the house for heat.

While a homeowner may realize the benefits, neighbors must put up with the smoke pollution. An article in a national newspaper says some residents near outdoor wood burners are selling their homes because they can't stand the smell. Others report outdoor wood burners trigger asthma and other respiratory problems.

Outdoor wood burners are one way to deal with high energy costs; another is a home windmill, or more appropriately, wind generator.

While they may be an attractive way to harness the energy of wind, home windmills create their own problems.

An article in a British newspaper said some home wind turbines are too large to safely mount on rooftops. Large towers detract from property values. The article said money spent on a wind turbine would probably be better spent on additional home insulation.

Some wind turbines create noise, which exists every time the wind blows.

Village officials have already started to study the questions about home wind turbines, and will have an answer soon.

Village leaders did not wait until one or two of the devices sprung up in town, and complaints started to flow.

Now is the time to regulate them, before someone spends thousands of dollars on a piece of equipment they can't use or must return to the manufacturer.

Archbold leaders try to think ahead. We can all enjoy our property and homes because of council's concern.