Businessman feels ill wind blowing
WAYNE — The Township Council is setting rules for wind turbines that would keep the alternative-energy sources far away from residential neighborhoods.
It is set to hold a public hearing and vote to adopt an ordinance Wednesday that would restrict turbines within 1,640 feet of residential neighborhoods, schools or day care centers.
The distance was based on studies that suggest separating turbines from housing because of noise and other potential health side effects, according to township officials.
But the ordinance would set another obstacle for Robert Burke, owner of the Wayne Auto spa, who is seeking approval of a Planning Board application to install a 50-foot-high turbine at his carwash and quick lube, about 120 feet from a preschool.
Burke has accused the township of unfairly targeting his plans, and his lawyer, Bill Potter, concurs.
“It’s being done in bad faith and being directed at my client for no good reason,” Potter said. “If we have to, we will take it to court and challenge it as far as necessary.”
Burke has scaled back his plans and is seeking minor site plan approval for the turbine next to the car wash. He had originally sought a variance for a 120-foot-high turbine closer to the Hamburg Turnpike, which violated the maximum building height of 50 feet allowed in the business zone.
Mayor Christopher Vergano said officials are considering the ordinance to protect the residential character of the township.
“As technology changes, we anticipate seeing different types of ways to manufacture electricity,” Vergano said. “My experience with windmills is traveling through the countryside of Germany, where I have seen them in remote locations, where there aren’t any residential neighborhoods. I think that is what we are trying to preserve here.”
The township wouldn’t be alone in setting guidelines for the placement of turbines. At least three towns in the state have adopted ordinances to set such guidelines.
* Hillsborough in Somerset County allows residents, farmers and business owners to put up turbines on lots that are greater than 10 acres.
* Galloway Township in Atlantic County restricts turbines to one-acre residential lots, with a setback from the property line equal to the height of the structure.
* The Shore town of Ocean Gate allows the structures on a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. Only about 30 homeowners could install turbines and meet setback requirements in the ordinance.
Burke said he plans to push ahead with his project. He is schedule to appear before the Planning Board on Sept. 22. He said he is pressing ahead “because energy issues have tentacles that reach far into our economy, far into our environmental well-being, and far into resource preservation.”
By Andrea Alexander
Staff Writer
2 September 2008
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