Local officials expressed interest in the prospect of allowing small power-generating wind turbines in Albemarle County, but some questions remain unanswered — even after the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission met on Wednesday.
Planning commissioners and supervisors reached no consensus on whether residents might find wind turbines unattractive, even if only the smaller ones are allowed.
Officials discussed the possibility of allowing wind turbines that are no higher than the allowable height of buildings, which is 35 feet in rural areas.
Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker said that while he wasn’t necessarily opposed to the idea of allowing wind turbines in the county, he said officials should be cautious in creating policies that would allow tall structures, noting that the county has worked diligently to block large, unappealing cell phone towers from sprouting up in the county.
However, Chairman David L. Slutzky said that there is a difference between cell phone towers and wind turbines, adding that he would find it aesthetically appealing to see environmentally friendly wind turbines that support energy efficiency.
County staff had initially looked at the possibility of allowing wind turbines to double as cell phone towers, but that idea wasn’t well received by supervisors.
Rooker said that he was concerned companies might put up wind turbines merely as a way to install tall cell phone towers.
Jeremy Hayes, president of Skyline Turbine, said that many of the turbines “are very, very quiet” and easily meet the county’s noise regulations. However, some officials questioned how loud the turbines would be on exceptionally windy days and whether the constant noise might become a nuisance to nearby residents.
Hayes described one type of wind turbine that costs about $22,500 to install. Buyers might be eligible for a 30 percent rebate from the federal government, he said. That turbine could supply more than half of a home’s energy.
Wind turbines have gained favor as part of national efforts to develop alternative energy sources, but the turbines — especially those used in large-scale commercial wind farms — have proven divisive. At a previous meeting the Planning Commission showed no interest in the larger-scale turbines.
Supervisors asked that county staff research the matter and work on a proposal.
The board also agreed to lease space in the Old Crozet Elementary
School building to the Field School of Charlottesville, an all boys middle school currently located in the Community Building at Crozet Park.
The one-year lease is for $42,710. The board will have a public hearing in June about a proposal to lease space in the old building to the Old Crozet School Arts nonprofit.
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