A city committee decided Wednesday to postpone its decision until at least Thursday about whether Graham Findlay should be allowed to install a power-generating turbine on top of a 10-metre pole in the yard of his home near Fisher Park.

The turbine, which looks like a giant, white, spherical bird cage and runs silently, would be expected to generate up to 15 per cent of his home's electrical needs. It is a little larger than the big stability balls found at many fitness centres, and to be efficient, it must be positioned 10 metres above the ground - double the height that zoning rules allow.

City bylaws also require structures that high to be set far back from the property lines separating his lot from those of his neighbours, but it is impossible for the turbine to meet the requirements because his yard is too small.

Findlay, whose work involves solar power and wind farms, was to ask the city's committee of adjustment Wednesday to grant him an exception to those bylaws.

Neighbours fear for safety

He said he wants to take advantage of new provincial regulations that allow residents to generate renewable power.

About 20 of Findlay's neighbours showed up at the committee meeting Wednesday to express their opposition to the turbine. Some said they support the concept, but have safety concerns.

John Earl, who lives directly behind Findlay, said he worries his children and the neighbours' children they play with could be hurt if the turbine topples, as it looms over the play structure in his yard.

Findlay said the support for the turbine is strong, well-anchored, and designed so it can only fall toward his own property.

The chair of the committee of adjustment said the committee is "looking for a way to make this happen" but may need an engineer's opinion as a condition of approval.

Kitchissippi Coun. Christine Leadman, whose ward includes Findlay's home, said she supports the idea of residents generating their own electricity.

Bylaws may need to change: councillor

"We have to build more opportunities in the future where we can accommodate this type of infrastructure," she said, adding that may mean restructuring some bylaws.

But she noted that the technology is new, she doesn't yet know what its impact will be on the community, and there are requirements that everyone needs to meet.

Findlay said he's not surprised that city bylaws are so far limiting his plan, as communities across the country are struggling with how to deal with wind turbines close to where people live.

"We should take the lead from the Europeans who are installing these not only in backyards, but on street poles, lighting pools, on schools, on fences, on bridges," he said.