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More questions arise over wind turbine
(by Joan Demirjian - June 30, 2010)
More questions arise over wind turbine
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Answers to questions surrounding a proposed wind turbine in Auburn for agricultural use still are being sought, according to Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Bridey Matheney.
The Auburn zoning department is re-examining the issues, based on questions raised during a meeting June 7 by Township Trustees and neighbors.
"We need more information," Mrs. Matheney said.
One issue has been how much energy can be generated by the turbine, how much will be used by the farm and what will be done with any excess.
Tom and Diane Jones are planning the turbine for their horse farm, which is accessed through Lindsey Lane off Munn Road. They said they will use the turbine to generate electricity for the farm buildings.
Auburn Township Trustees reviewed a letter June 21 from Mrs. Matheney in which she responded to some of the questions raised at the June 7 meeting.
In general, the turbine is capable of generating 19,000 kilowatts, and the Joneses said they will use only 3,000. The question is what will the excess wattage be used for, agriculture or commercial, Mrs. Matheney said.
"It is definitely a concern," she said. "We want to see the grant application as well for the turbine."
The goal is to get a better grip on the turbine's use, Mrs. Matheney said of the questions being asked.
As part of the grant application to the Ohio Department of Development, the Joneses need a letter from the township zoning department.
The wind turbine is 120 feet tall. If it is not agriculturally exempt, it would be considered an accessory structure and would not meet the township's zoning, Mrs. Matheney said. However, if it is deemed agriculture, no variances are needed, she said.
"We are re-examining our original letter issued in April, and we need more time," she said. "We didn't have the information on the amount it could be generated vs. the use."
At the trustees' June 21 meeting, Mrs. Jones said they would not feed unused power back to the grid to make a profit.
"We anticipate providing all the answers to all the areas of concern," Mrs. Jones said this week. "We have been cooperative from the beginning."
Trustee John Eberly said after the June 21 meeting that the Joneses are well aware they cannot feed power back into the grid. If so, it would be a commercial power supplier.
Mr. Eberly said they also are aware they cannot use electricity generated by the turbine for their home. The house is residential and not agriculture.
The turbine originally was going to be placed on property within the subdivision but was turned down. The Joneses returned with the plan to place it on a parcel outside the subdivision.
Now, Auburn Zoning Inspector Frank Kitko is to make a decision on the matter. He said he has notified the Joneses that he needs more information before a determination will be made.
Some of that information includes studies on the Indiana bat, which could be affected by the turbine, according to questions that arose at the June 7 meeting.
Mr. Kitko made the original decision that the turbine is exempt from zoning based on agricultural use. He also advised the Joneses that the turbine could not be used to generate electricity for their house, which is not on the farm property.
Mr. Kitko said the turbine is going to be used for three agricultural buildings, and for that reason, the turbine was given an agricultural exemption.
The Geauga County Prosecutor's Office agreed with him, he said. The turbine will not be powering electricity for anything but the barns and arena on the property.
At the meeting June 7, the issue of the amount of kilowatts that could be generated by the turbine was raised, Mr. Kitko said. "We asked for additional information and some was supplied.
"I also told residents the Joneses are applying for a grant for the turbine and there is no guarantee they are going to get it," he said.
The same is true of the Pond ice-skating rink in the township, he said. It is seeking grants for two turbines, Mr. Kitko said.
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