Rumor has it that a land owner who has 80 acres on the northern edge between Old West Ranch and Mountain Meadows has signed a lease to allow Oak Creek to put in several large wind turbines. This would bring turbines to the south side of Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road in a location in the hills behind the glider port.
As a property owner in both West Ranch and Mountain Meadows, this is of great concern to me. It is a documented fact that property values decline by at least 20% when turbines are brought in. Also, folks who believe bringing in turbines will bring in power should think again. The turbines we see every day send power to LA, not our local community.
Of course, there are many hurdles Oak Creek will have to overcome to bring turbines to a residential area like West Ranch. The zoning will have to be changed, neighbors will have to approve of the variance to allow turbines. Factors to consider include noise pollution, ice throw off blades in winter (this happens), the flicker effect on nearby houses and their animals (can irritate horses), and easements on the private roads for the wind company to access the turbines for maintenance and repair.
Has anyone else heard about this? Is anyone else concerned? Anyone interested in fighting this to protect our land values can contact me. I am going to look into it further and approach the planning department once permits and a plan are filed for such a project.
14 February 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/14/wind-turbines-coming-to-west-ranch/