April 23, 2013
Ontario

Municipalities undeterred by turbine ruling; Wainfleet decision won’t slow down Plympton-Wyoming, mayor says

Luke Edwards | April 22, 2013 | www.niagarathisweek.comLuke Edwards | April 22, 2013 | www.niagarathisweek.com

The result of Wainfleet’s two-kilometre turbine setback bylaw court case isn’t going to change a nearby municipality currently facing a similar challenge.

“We’re moving forward. We think we’ve got some pretty good backup,” said Plympton-Wyoming mayor Lonny Napper. The mayor and his council have been keeping a close eye on Wainfleet’s court case, he added.

Last week, Justice Robert Reid ruled in favour of Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc., which was seeking to force a repeal of the township’s setback bylaw. The bylaw, which aldermen passed last year, requires industrial turbines be located two kilometres from any property.

Reid ruled the definition of property was too vague, and thus the bylaw was invalid and without force and effect.

“I don’t know how much more clarity there needs to be,” Napper said.

The Plympton-Wyoming case deals with two additional issues on top of the setback bylaw. That municipality also passed rules for building fees and development charges. But at least Wainfleet’s case gives his municipality an idea of how things might unfold, Napper said.

“We know a little more what to expect now,” Napper said. Plympton-Wyoming’s court case is against Suncor, which has a plan to build 24 turbines in the municipality and a total of 46 turbines in the area.

Napper said results of the Wainfleet issue are just another part of the continued up-and-down Ontario municipalities have experienced recently.

“Everyday something new comes up,” he said. “One day it’s up the next day it’s down.”

There is no timeline for the Plympton-Wyoming hearing. Wainfleet council has yet to determine its next steps since hearing of the ruling.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/23/municipalities-undeterred-by-turbine-ruling-wainfleet-decision-wont-slow-down-plympton-wyoming-mayor-says/