April 19, 2015
New York

Proposed wind towers don’t meet zoning rules in Town of Sheridan

By Susan Chiappone, Chautauqua Correspondent | The Buffalo News | April 17, 2015 | www.buffalonews.com

SHERIDAN – Members of the Sheridan Town Board heard a proposal about several wind towers planned for the Walker Fruit Farms land on Route 39.

At the regular meeting held Thursday in the community center, the board heard a request from Ryan Storke of CEC Energy. The firm would construct and lease the towers to Walker Fruit Farms to produce electricity for the farm. Five towers are planned for the 58 acre site.

According to Town Code Enforcement Officer James Crowell, the proposal does not comply with the town’s requirements for height and for the set back of construction from buildings. Two of the 50 kilowatt towers are 171 feet tall and would be higher than the town’s limit of 165 feet. The town also requires that the towers be at least 1,200 feet from dwellings.

Town Supervisor Louis DelMonte said the board members would need to consider all the facts and review maps of the land to make any determination. DelMonte said he consulted with the town attorney and said that a change to the town law may be considered.

The town’s zoning board of appeals may be able to consider some of the towers, but the project as outlined could not be approved, according to the supervisor. Crowell said he has studied the maps and he cannot entertain building permits for the project due to the lack of compliance.

Board members are expected to further consult with the land owner and their attorney before taking any action on the project.

In other matters:

• The seasonal contract for lawn maintenance on town properties was awarded to McGowan’s Lawn Grooming at a cost of $3,200.

• It was agreed to hire a part-time bookkeeper to assist the town clerk at a rate of $15 per hour with hours to be determined by the board.

• The next meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. May 21. It will include a presentation on lighting costs and potential savings with LED fixtures.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/19/proposed-wind-towers-dont-meet-zoning-rules-in-town-of-sheridan/