Wind farm plan generating plenty of opinions; Input being sought on Innisfil proposal
Are the breezes blowing favourably for a wind farm in Innisfil?
Area residents will have an opportunity next week to comment on a five-turbine wind farm proposed by Schneider Power Inc. on about 200 acres of land between Line 5 and Line 6, east of Highway 400.
The public meeting will take place on Wednesday from 7:15 p. m. to 9:15 p. m. in the new town offices at 2101 Innisfil Beach Rd.
The company has requested a zoning bylaw amendment to the town’s official plan to rezone the subject lands from agricultural general zone and environmental protection zone to agricultural general exception and environmental protection to construct the wind energy system.
The wind turbines would be anywhere from 79 metres to 108 metres to the hub (the final height has yet to be determined), plus another 41 metres to the top of the blade.
Opponents of the project, including members of Innisfil Wind Watchers (www.innisfilwindwatchers.org),claim the location chosen for the wind farm is not a good one. Their concerns about the project include: potential health risks and noise; distraction to drivers on nearby Highway 400; possible disruption of growth plans in the area; disruption of telecommunications; and its proximity to the nearby Skydive Toronto facility and other businesses that could be adversely affected.
Gaye Trombley, of the Innisfil Wind Watchers group, owns Avalon Orchards, an organic orchard located next to the site of the proposed wind farm.
Not only is she concerned about the impact the wind turbines could have on her business, she is worried about how nearby Churchill residents could be impacted.
Skydive Toronto owner Joe Chow has stated if the project goes ahead, his planes would be forced to fly over Churchill to take advantage of prevailing winds instead of flying over the wind farm.
“It’s very important that people — particularly those in Churchill and elsewhere who are directly affected by the proposed wind farm — voice their opinion. It’s important that council knows what their views are,” Trombley said.
“I firmly believe it’s an inappropriate location for a wind farm. I’m going forward to ensure my opinion is heard and action is taken to respond to my interests,” she added.
Schneider Power CEO Jonathan Lundy agrees that public input is vital.
“For supporters of clean energy, such as that proposed by Schneider Power, it is important local residents be present to let Innisfil council know that they support a wind farm development in their community,” he said.
Company representatives will be making a presentation during the public meeting.
“We are going to briefly address some of the broad socio-economic benefits of harnessing wind to produce electricity, as well as address and counter some of the common myths, misconceptions and arguments raised by those who oppose wind power,” Lundy said.
“We will also provide a summaryof thereports and studies that we have completed aspartof ouren-v ironmental screening for this project,” he added.
Schneider Power has had two wind turbines operating on Manitoulin Island since March 2007.
Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson hopes residents will express their opinion regarding the proposed wind farm, especially with all the attention renewable sources of energy have been getting in recent years.
“The best time for them to get their opinion heard is at the public meeting. Wind power is an appropriate subject these days. Unfortunately, the location is a little controversial. Council will have a difficult decision to make but will hopefully come up with a good decision that will benefit the town,” he said.
“The comments gleaned from the public meeting will be considered by staff together with the technical information filed in support of the application and the results of (the town’s) peer analysis of the data,” Innisfil CAO Larry Allison said this week.
“Those that are unable to attend the public meeting and who wish to provide a comment in favour or opposed to the application are invited to write to the town clerk,” he said.
“There is no timeframe within which the information must be analyzed and a follow up report provided to council,” he added.
By Ian McInroy
6 September 2008
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