Higher penalties for Plandome zoning offenses

Village of Plandome trustees voted Tuesday to hike the maximum penalties for zoning and other offenses, while holding off on tweaking its noise ordinance to allow for generators to run during power outages.

The village increased the maximum penalty from $250 to $1,000 for violations of the village code at its meeting. It also voted to double the maximum fines and civil penalties for violations of its zoning law.

But trustees did not vote on a third proposed law that would have amended the village’s noise code to allow residents to run emergency generators for the duration of power outages. Village law allows emergency generators to operate only for heat and medically necessary equipment during power outages.

Deputy Mayor Ray Herbert said he wanted to have more feedback from residents on the proposed noise amendment, especially on whether the operation of generators should be prohibited during overnight hours.

“Let’s take a step back and consider what’s best for the village,” he said.

Trustee Katie Saville suggested creating a survey to poll residents on their preferences regarding generator noise and hours, which Mayor M. Lloyd Williams said she should do.