March 23, 2007
New York
New York
FARMERSVILLE – Several changes were made to a 23-page draft of a local law regulating wind farms in the Town of Farmersville during a public hearing attended by about 50 residents in Town Hall on Thursday night.
The law is the subject of a second hearing at 7 p.m. April 19, and residents were told they could submit further comments in writing until next Thursday by mailing them to 8963 Lake Ave., Franklinville, NY 14737. Copies of the revised law will be available in Town Hall on April 12. The meeting will be held in Town Hall, near Harwood Lake on Route 98.
At the urging of several speakers in the audience, the Town Board agreed to expand wind turbine tower setbacks from neighboring property lines to 1,000 feet, lengthening the earlier distance of 500 feet from property lines and 750 feet from homes. They also relaxed high restrictions on smaller, privately used wind conversion energy systems.
Several in the audience voiced opposition to wind farms because of noise and other impacts. Others warned about hazards if ice and turbine blades fall from the moving turbines.
Dan Spitzer, town attorney, said the town may adopt a moratorium, which may offer some protection because the town has no zoning law.
Town officials were approached last summer by Noble Environmental Power, a Connecticut- based company that has received approval for two wind farms in Wyoming County and is expected to submit an application to the Town of Centerville, which adopted a similar law in November establishing guidelines for wind farms.
The proposed law lists a number of guidelines, such as a 500- foot property-line setback for placement of turbines, associated road construction for the heavy equipment needed to erect the towers and a 50-decibel noise level.
By Kathy Kellogg
Cattaraugus Correspondent
23 March 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/23/setbacks-for-wind-turbines-increased/