Saturday, April 18, 2009

There ought to be a law

BATH - The Bath town board will begin a review of possible land use regulations that would govern the future location of wind turbines in the town.

Councilwoman Robin LattimerMonday told boardmembers improved wind energy technology may make the municipality a candidate for wind farm developments. Lattimer also cited the municipality's newly approved comprehensive plan, which notes potential sites for wind farms exist in the town.

The idea, Lattimer said, is to draft land use regulations before any wind farm development company takes steps to erect wind turbines in the town.

At a minimum, board members will consider setback requirements to govern the distance between wind turbines and private residences.

"Obviously noise concerns have been raised," Lattimer said. "There are a lot of issues to deal with."

Drafting local regulations affecting wind turbine locations would give the municipality an advantage over future development that has not been available to other municipalities in which development companies have pursued wind turbine developments.

The Town of Prattsburgh, for example, has been warned it could face litigation if it tries to restrict developers' plans to build wind turbines within the municipality. At the same time, Prattsburgh officials have been advised by residents of Cohocton that recently erected wind turbines are creating significant noise problems in that municipality.

"The noise issue is a definite concern," Bath town resident Hal Bailey told town board members. Bailey served as chairman of the committee that drafted the town's comprehensive plan.

Lattimer asked board members to consider possible land use issues in time for next month's regular board meeting. "We want to get the barn door closed before the horse gets out," she said.

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