July 7, 2013
Rhode Island

Charlestown to consider purchase of potential turbine site

Sun Staff | The Westerly Sun | July 6, 2013 | www.thewesterlysun.com

CHARLESTOWN – The Town Council will discuss a possible referendum regarding purchase of the 81-acre site of the proposed Whalerock Renewable Energy LLC twin industrial turbines when it meets Monday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

The sole item under new business on the meeting’s agenda would discuss funding and the authorization of the town clerk and Board of Canvassers to put the purchase of AP 17, Lot 186, as the property north of Post Road and bordered by King’s Factory Road and East Quail Run is known on town assessors’ maps, before town voters for a price not to exceed $2.7 million.

The property, owned by local developer Lawrence LeBlanc, has been a bone of contention for town officials for 10 years, between the wind turbine proposal and its previous development plan as an affordable housing site. LeBlanc is currently seeking a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Review, which would allow him to build the wind turbines on the site. The hearing, which has already had three sessions, is scheduled to resume July 17.

There is also an item pertaining to land acquisition on an executive session scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, prior to the council’s regular monthly meeting. Whalerock is also listed as a topic of pending litigation.

The open session’s agenda also includes discussion of the financing problems encountered by the Washington County Community Development Corp. and the town with two proposed affordable housing developments, ChurchWoods and Shannock Village Cottages. The Affordable Housing Commission is expected to give an advisory opinion on the situation.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/07/charlestown-to-consider-purchase-of-potential-turbine-site/