Residents assail wind turbines 

A contingent of about 15 Capon Springs area residents showed up at last Tuesday’s Hampshire County Commission meeting to express their opposition to the proposed windmill farm for Capon Springs Resort.

While some five years in the planning, it was just a few months back when the project came to the attention of many area residents. Pushback was immediate and passionate.

Jacob Kirk, a resident of High View, served as spokesman for the group and read a statement.

Noting that the planned 18-25 wind turbines will be nearly 700 feet tall, Kirk they will be located near hundreds of home, most within 1 to 2 miles of the site.

Graphic presented to Hampshire County Commissioners by Jacob Kirk purports to show scale of the size of the proposed wind turbines targeted for installation at Capon Springs Resort.

“My family represents six households, all located within two miles of the resort,” Kirk read. “Despite our family’s active involvement in the community through organizations like the Lions Club, Ruritan, Neighbor-to-Neighbor and the Fire Department, none of the eleven adult family members were informed about this project.

“Our concerns extend beyond the turbines being installed close to our homes. Given their enormous size and location, they will dominate our skyline. Many homes in our area offer beautiful views of Spring Mountain, and like most residents of Wild Wonderful West Virginia, we cherish living amidst the mountains, enjoying peace and solitude. The presence of these turbines would have a significant impact on our quality of life, property values, well-being and surrounding wildlife.

In his remarks Kirk acknowledged the county’s lack of resources to fund schools and other services, which is what made tax revenue from the proposed turbines attractive.

“Unfortunately, these wind turbines will have a very negative and direct impact on many residents. A substantial decrease in our property values and loss of the peaceful enjoyment of those properties will affect us. Meanwhile, he wind turbines will benefit a privileged few. This is an unjust transfer of wealth from our community to others. Our sacrifices to boost the County’s revenue are neither fair nor equitable.”

“This is our home. We must advocate for our right to peacefully enjoy our properties while maintaining the value of our homes and livelihoods. If we don’t speak up, we will bear the burden of these changes.

Specific actions by the County Commission requested by Kirk included:

Declaring a moratorium on industrial wind and solar in the county.

Amending the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) to require large setbacks and other protections as needed.

Ensuring that industrial wind and solar are not included in Hampshire County’s future comprehensive plan.

And adopting narrow, simple and straightforward zoning that strictly limits and controls industrial wind and solar development.

Those present for the issue applauded Kirk’s remarks.

While the Commissioners appeared sympathetic to residents’ concerns, they noted there was little they could do at this stage to help them.

“We’re given limited tools on what we can do,” Commission President Brian Eglinger told the group. It’s not something we can just say we’re going to stop it today.”

Eglinger recommended a simple, targeted zoning ordinance needs to be put on the ballot.

Commissioner Logan Mantz lauded the group on their efforts and suggested the place for them to start is planning commission, where there will be followup conversations on the issue.

Mantz also mentioned state pre-emption as another obstacle. He noted corporations are lobbying for keeping local governments from taking the types of action the group is seeking and suggested residents reach out to their local legislators.