Citing fears of annoying noise and eyesores, Albemarle Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker led a movement Wednesday to include stricter restrictions in a proposal that would allow wind turbines in the county.
Rooker suggested limiting wind turbines to rural areas — with no turbines allowed in historical districts or within a ridge area — and requiring a 150-foot setback from neighbors’ property.
“I think that we should test the water,” Rooker said.
Supervisors have been enthusiastic about allowing small power-generating wind turbines as a way to encourage renewable energy use. However, Rooker said that the county should experiment with stricter guidelines than those originally proposed, to limit noise and visibility nuisances for neighbors.
Four of the five other supervisors said they would support revisions in the spirit of Rooker’s suggestions. An amended proposal likely will be presented to supervisors in a meeting today.
Board of Supervisors Chair-man David L. Slutzky wanted a change to the county’s zoning ordinance that would have placed fewer restrictions on wind turbines and allowed them on more urban property. Wind turbines currently are not allowed anywhere in Albemarle.
Slutzky disputed the suggestion that the original wind turbine proposal would cause significant noise disruptions to neighbors, even in urban areas. He cited technological advances that have led to the creation of turbines that are nearly silent.
Rooker countered that though there are some turbines that cause very little noise, the ordinance presented to supervisors wouldn’t have prohibited older, louder turbines.
Slutzky suggested that the Board of Supervisors be given enough flexibility to permit, on an individual basis, wind turbines that stray from some standard regulations, but the idea was shut down by other supervisors.
Slutzky said that Rooker’s regulations would be too restrictive.
“I’ll predict we won’t have any takers,” Slutzky said.
Under a proposal expected to pass today, wind turbines cannot be taller than the allowable size of buildings — generally 35 feet in rural areas. Turbines also could not double as cell phone towers or have lights, among other regulations.
Even if wind turbines are permitted, county officials are not expecting many of the power-saving structures to sprout up in the county anytime soon, as they typically cost tens of thousands of dollars.
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