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In Clearfield ... Planners hear concerns about turbine project
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
By Josh Woods Staff Writer
Clearfield County Planning Commission listened to a pair of concerned citizens at its meeting last night who shared information about a proposed wind energy project. Brady Township resident Gary Swope shared information about the 43-turbine project projected for Brady, Bloom and Penn townships by Iberdrola Renewables. Swope reported the project area would contain industrial-sized wind turbines measuring 300 feet across its blades and 400 feet from the ground to its highest point. His concern, he said, was with noise, shadow flicker and the loss of property value the turbines might cause for him and other property owners. He pointed out turbines are proposed for the properties adjacent to his own for land that is owned by absentee landowners.
"To be fair not everyone experiences impacts, but many people do," said Swope. "I've spoken to property owners who live in Blair and Somerset (counties) and some of them said the noise is so bad they don't even want to be outside."
Swope noted Brady Township has taken on the initiative of developing a wind energy regulation ordinance. However, there have been many debates over what constitutes as a fair setback distance for wind turbines. Iberdrola Renewables has recommended a setback of 1,250 feet, maintaining further distances would nullify the project due to siting issues. Swope has proposed a setback of 2,500 feet based on the study of similar Pennsylvania ordinances.
"All the company needs for this project is an earth-disturbing permit from the local conservation district," said Swope.
"You're addressing the wrong group," said Chairman Paul Winslow. "We're not a regulating authority ... we have no authority to implement an ordinance."
Director Jodi Brennan said Craig Poff recently represented Iberdrola at a county Energy Task Force meeting. Task force members asked a number of questions about the project, she said, including questions about setback distances. Brennan is a member of the energy task force.
Poff wrote to the planning commission to ask for a written definition of land development, Brennan said. Brennan referred him to the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code that says land development refers to buildings not structures.
She noted an operation and maintenance building is proposed for the project site, so a land development plan would have to be submitted to the Clearfield County Planning Commission.
The commission approved a major subdivision, a minor subdivision and a land development. The major subdivision, referred to as the McFadden-Wonderling subdivision in Grampian Borough, was approved conditionally. It was approved conditional to setbacks being shown on the plan drawings and receipt of a letter from the appropriate municipal authority stating that sewer services can be provided to the subdivision.
All nine lots in the proposed subdivision are to be conveyed as residential lots and contain a right-of-way, a sewer line and ingress and egress right-of-way to state Route 219. The total area of the 9-lot subdivision is 6.238 acres.
A minor subdivision was approved for Wenturine Bros. Lumber Inc. in Burnside Township. The six-lot subdivision has a total area of 84.881 acres. Lots 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are to be conveyed as residential lots, while lot 8 is to be conveyed as a non-building lot. Planning Specialist Rob Thomas included notes to the surveyor that reminded the company setbacks should be shown on the plan drawings and that the Clearfield County approval block should be used.
A land development expansion was conditionally approved for the YMCA.
The YMCA has proposed an approximate 15,200-square-foot building to expand its current facility.
The 1-lot development has a total area of 0.80 acres and is zoned commercial. The YMCA land development was approved conditional to a receipt of a letter from the appropriate municipal authority stating it has sufficient capacity to serve it.
Under items of information, Amerikohl Mining Inc. has applied to the state Department of Environmental Protection for a general operating permit to install a portable coal crusher on the Timothy B. Robertson property.
EQT Production filed a notice of intent for surface water withdrawal from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. EQT proposes to withdraw up to 900,000 gallons of water per day for use in drilling and development of natural gas wells and related projects.
William Clouser, Ken Leonard and Rita Bass were absent from the meeting.
Clearfield County Planning Commission's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 7:30 at the Multi-Service Center located on Leonard Street.
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