By Andy Smith, Journal Staff Writer, The Providence Journal, www.projo.com 13 April 2011By Andy Smith, Journal Staff Writer, The Providence Journal, www.projo.com 13 April 2011
NORTH KINGSTOWN – The town has revoked the building permit for a 427-foot wind turbine slated to be constructed at the North Kingstown Green housing development on Ten Rod Road.
The turbine had already been approved by the town and the permit was issued on Dec. 6, 2010.
In a letter to Mark DePasquale, developer of both the turbine and North Kingstown Green, Town Manager Michael Embury wrote that DePasquale had not taken steps to have the property conform to the town’s zoning and subdivision process.
Embury said the town re-examined the building permit after some property owners at North Kingstown Green, where DePasquale also owns a home, protested the turbine.
Town Solicitor James Reilly said the approval for the turbine requires a land swap between part of a parcel owned by DePasquale and part of an open-space parcel commonly owned by all the homeowners at North Kingstown Green.
Reilly said the swap is necessary for the turbine to be the proper distance from adjacent properties. So far, Reilly said, the town has not seen evidence that DePasquale has obtained the necessary deeds conveying the land transfers.
David Darlington, a spokesman for DePasquale, said North Kingstown Green residents had all given signed permission for the transfer, and DePasquale planned to file the necessary paperwork soon.
“It was an oversight on our part that will be repaired in the next few days, and we expect to have the project back on track,” Darlington said.
Darlington said he expects the North Kingstown Green turbine to be operational by the end of the year.
Colleen Clare, a resident of North Kingstown Green who opposes the turbine, said she’s delighted with the town’s action.
“I think it’s great. They’ve truly heard us … this is definitely heading in the right direction,” she said.
Clare said she and other residents had signed a statement saying they supported the installation of a turbine at North Kingstown Green, and were in agreement with “changes made to the covenants by the developer.”
At the time, she said, she was unaware of the implications of the statement.
Embury said the town’s action does not affect DePasquale’s second turbine application in North Kingstown, at Stamp Farm on Route 2. A hearing on that application will be held April 14 before the Planning Commission.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/13/n-kingstown-revokes-wind-turbine-permit/