Wind turbines are expected to shoot up in Haycock. In response to residents' requests, supervisors increased the allowed maximum height of the energy-harnessing wind turbines from 65 feet to 72 feet.

Township officials plan to hash out the details at tonight's planning commission meeting. In recent months, supervisors have been working on an ordinance that would regulate wind turbines in the rural Upper Bucks township.

Paul Stepanoff was glad to see the height restrictions extended. "It's a step in the right direction," he said.

But the Creamery Road resident wants to see the turbine height go up to 78 feet, which he says is the industry standard. "How they are arriving at 72 feet is not tied to what you can actually buy out there."

The turbines are being hailed as a source of clean energy that will trim power bills without harming the environment, but some property owners fear they will be a towering eyesore that will disrupt the quiet and largely untouched countryside.

Lynn Bush, executive director of the Bucks County Planning Commission, says that as long as they remain confined to individual homeowners, turbines shouldn't make a major impression on the county's skyline.

"I suspect that this will not have an overwhelming impact on the landscape," Bush said.

As homeowners turn to alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels, to deal with skyrocketing energy costs, more townships in Bucks might be forced to set regulations. Bush recalled the push to regulate wind turbines during the energy crisis of the 1970s. She says some Bucks municipalities still have ordinances on the books, but most have been dropped over the years.

Haycock officials say wind turbine proposals are on the way, and they are trying to put sound rules in place for governing them. Buckingham has already adopted a wind power ordinance that sets windmill heights at a maximum of 140 feet.

At last week's meeting, Haycock officials also voted to allow property owners to place the turbines in their front yard as long as they are at least 100 feet from the road and not directly in front of the home. The wind generators are also limited to properties that are at least two acres.

Supervisors plan to have the proposed ordinance reviewed by the Bucks County Planning Commission before voting to approve it.

IF YOU GO

What: Haycock planning commission meeting

When: Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Where: The township municipal building, located at 640 Harrisburg School Rd., Quakertown

ON THE NET

http://www.haycocktwp.com/wind_generator_ordinance_informa.htm