Penn Forest Township supervisors voted Monday to send an ordinance that would allow a township resident to install wind turbines to the county and township planning commissions for review. Paul Montemuro, who owns a beverage store in Albrightsville, wants to construct a 28-foot turbine on his property to cut down on heating and cooling costs, which he said total nearly $700 per month. The turbine, which would have blades 7 feet long, must be set back at least 110 percent of its height from any existing structures. A 100-foot-tall turbine would have to be placed at least 110 feet away from homes and other nearby buildings. ''I think we should look into this a little bit more, don't you?'' asked Supervisor Judith Knappenberger, who questioned the turbine's size before voting ''yes'' to pass the ordinance along.

Penn Forest Township supervisors voted Monday to send an ordinance that would allow a township resident to install wind turbines to the county and township planning commissions for review.

Paul Montemuro, who owns a beverage store in Albrightsville, wants to construct a 28-foot turbine on his property to cut down on heating and cooling costs, which he said total nearly $700 per month.

The turbine, which would have blades 7 feet long, must be set back at least 110 percent of its height from any existing structures. A 100-foot-tall turbine would have to be placed at least 110 feet away from homes and other nearby buildings.

''I think we should look into this a little bit more, don't you?'' asked Supervisor Judith Knappenberger, who questioned the turbine's size before voting ''yes'' to pass the ordinance along.

''I thought we had a workshop for this,'' Vice Chairman Josiah Behrens said. ''The size of the lot limits the size of the turbine. I don't really have a problem with it. I really don't think these are things that everyone's going to have in his backyard. I just don't see the harm.''

During the workshop, Behrens said supervisors looked at examples of ordinances from other areas in Pennsylvania that allow wind turbines, including Tobyhanna Township, and other examples provided by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

Montemuro asked whether the ordinance would allow other homes to hook into the $30,000 energy system so his children also would benefit when they eventually build their own homes.

At this time, the ordinance does not allow other homes to attach to the system, but Behrens said that is something for which each individual property owner could request a variance.

Also Monday, supervisors approved an extension for a $4.8 million, 9,200-square-foot Penn's Peak expansion project. The construction of the addition was originally to be completed by Sept. 26, but the board agreed to extend the deadline to Dec. 31.

Under the plan, a new entrance, lobby, ticket office and elevator will be added to the main hall, and a 50-seat second-floor bar and lounge will be created, Penn's Peak general manager Craig Stelling said. Its restaurant, Roadies, also will get a 30-seat expansion, and its gift shop will double in size.

Also, Penn's Peak Radio, which broadcasts over the Internet and on Blue Ridge Cable TV channel 80, will move from its Palmerton base to the complex. That will be the project's final phase, and the new station will consist of five offices, three production booths and an on-air studio overlooking the parking lot.

In 2006, the venue, which was purchased by Pencor Services 10 years ago, drew 104 national touring acts -- including rock bands Asia and Toto and singer Pat Benatar -- and hosted 40 to 50 lunch shows that featured regional talent.

In other matters Tuesday, supervisors scrapped a motion to renew a snow salt contract with Cargill De-icing Technology after deciding the contract needs to be bid. The contract renewal would have cost the township $14,250.

Ashley Kosciolek is a freelance writer.

 

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