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Politics & Government

Mayor Withdraws Amendment for Rooftop Air Conditioner Screens

Citing a bad economy, Mayor Gary Grasso withdrew a zoning amendment requiring businesses to screen-in rooftop air conditioners.

Zoning amendment: A proposed zoning amendment originally spearheaded by Grasso was withdrawn at Monday night's board meeting, after the plan commission at its last meeting was unable to reach a consensus on the issue.

Grasso had asked the commission to look into an amendment that would require the screening of non-residential rooftop equipment, such as large air conditioners.

Several business owners attended the three different meetings where the commission discussed the issue and expressed their opposition. Three of the six commission members supported the business owners and said that the cost of screening, even with voluntary triggers such as a remodel, were too costly and onerous to impose in such a tough economic climate.

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Grasso said he agreed fully that it was not the right time to implement such an amendment given the tough times already faced by businesses.

“I thought this would be a quick, easy fix to [just put up a cheap screen],” he said. “I wasn't aware of the costs of this and now is not the time for it.”

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