June 24, 2017
New York
New York
Parishville Town Board passes local wind law establishing wind turbine setbacks and sound output limits
By Matt Lindsey | North Country Now | June 23, 2017 | northcountrynow.com
By Matt Lindsey | North Country Now | June 23, 2017 | northcountrynow.com
PARISHVILLE – The Parishville Town Board unanimously passed a local wind law at a meeting last night, establishing wind turbine setbacks and sound output limits.
The proposed wind farm has divided the Parishville and Hopkinton communities as residents verbally spar over how far wind towers should be placed from homes, allowable sound decibels produced by the towers and environmental and health concerns.
“There were no changes to the law” made at the meeting, according to Councilwoman Keri Tremper.
The plans still calls for setbacks of wind towers to be five times the height of the wind tower from the property line of a non-participating landowner. If the towers are 500 feet high, as projected, setbacks would be 2,500 feet. That distance would apply to the foundation of the residence of a participating landowner.
Tremper believes the law now moves on to the state level.
“We wanted to have this one (done), she said, noting that changes in the future are possible as discussions continue.
The North Ridge Wind Farm calls for about 40 wind towers, about 500-feet-high, to be built in Hopkinton and Parishville by Avangrid Renewables.
The local law for sound decibels to be at 45 or below from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and 35 decibels from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. from a participating landowners residence.
Many residents have been vocal about their displeasure with the setbacks and sound allowance, citing safety and health issues.
The town board is set to meet June 27.