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Townships prepare zoning for wind turbines
(by Joan Demirjian - October 13, 2010)
Townships prepare zoning for wind turbines
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Auburn and Russell townships are working on wind-turbine zoning, and Bainbridge Township may consider it. It is better to be prepared for proposals that will undoubtedly arise, township officials said.
The Auburn zoning commission held a public hearing Sept. 28 on a proposed draft that eventually is to be sent to Township Trustees for a decision.
Auburn Zoning Inspector Frank Kitko said the township has been reviewing the issue for about a year.
A wind turbine has been proposed for a horse farm off Munn Road. The turbine originally was given the go-ahead by the township zoning department as an agricultural use. Subsequently, the zoning department determined it was not agriculture, noting that excess electricity generated by the turbine was to be sold back to the grid or a utility company. In that respect, it was not considered agricultural use, according to township officials.
The township's board of zoning appeals recently also approved variances for two wind turbines at the Pond ice-skating rink on Washington Street.
Bret Jordan, chairman of the Auburn zoning commission, said the commission is reviewing comments made at the Sept. 28 public hearing, as well as those from the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office and Geauga County Planning Director David Dietrich.
They have 30 days from the public hearing to send it to the trustees, he said. "I think we have a good framework," he said of the status of the zoning regulations.
The regulations being worked out do not apply to agricultural use of wind turbines, according to Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Bridey Methaney, who represents Auburn. Agriculture uses are exempt from zoning.
One matter recently brought to the attention of the township by the Geauga County Sheriff's Department is that the turbines possibly could interfere with law-enforcement communication towers, which send out microwaves.
"The zoning commission is aware of the issue and is looking into it," Mr. Kitko said.
Geauga County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Scott Hildenbrand said, the department is asking to check out a wind-turbine proposal before the township issues a permit to determine if it will interfere with communications.
The communication towers communicate with microwave paths. "We want to make sure they don't disrupt the microwave path," Mr. Hildenbrand said.
Auburn residents Tom and Diane Jones have proposed a wind turbine at their horse farm on Lindsey Lane off Munn Road in the township.
They attended the Sept. 28 public hearing on the proposed regulations for wind turbines, and said "incorrect information" was cited by those who attended.
"People are being told Auburn is going to be dotted with wind turbines," Mrs. Jones said, and it's being referred to as a blight. "Panic buttons are being pushed," she said. "This is two to three people terrifying an entire community."
She said she and her husband have a legitimate farm, and townships cannot regulate farms.
The Russell Township zoning commission also is working on wind-turbine zoning. Last week, Russell Trustees approved hiring a consult that will meet with the zoning commission on wind turbines.
Trustee James Mueller said the zoning commission has done a lot of research on the proposed zoning over the past year. Eventually, a final draft will go to Township Trustees to take action on it, he said.
He doubts that wind farms will become an issue. Individuals might put up smaller ones, but not groups of them, he said.
Russell Trustee Kristina Port said she recently attended a symposium on wind turbines and has passed on the information to the zoning commission. Issues include the impact on migrating birds, intrusive noise and ice falling from the blades, she said.
Russell Trustee James Dickinson said, sooner or later, someone is going to erect a wind turbine, and the township should be prepared, such as for the height issues. "It's a new area of law," he said.
Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Shane Wrench said zoning for wind turbines has not been formally discussed, but it could be the next project the zoning commission focuses on.
Currently, wind turbines in the township are exempt from height regulations, Mr. Wrench said.
Don Sheehy, chairman of the zoning commission, said at this point, there are no formal discussions on the matter. They can watch what other communities do with it, he said.
There are very little regulations on them now, he said. What exists now was for the farms and there were no real height restrictions.
Bainbridge Trustee Jeff Markley said all forms of alternative energy should be looked at including wind turbines as well as solar panels and outdoor furnaces, he said.
Wind turbines should certainly be regulated, such as the distance from a house and from property lines. At one time, they were common on farms, "but do you want one every 250 feet in a neighborhood?" Mr. Markley said.
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