AMHERSTBURG - Town council has scheduled a public meeting on genGrowth's application for the South Side Wind Farm but area residents have not waited to once again voice their concerns.

A number of residents turned out Monday night with two delegations appearing before town council expressing opposition to the genGrowth proposal. A five-turbine wind farm is proposed for just north of Malden Centre, in the area near Concession 6 South and South Side Road.

Bill Anderson, president of the Essex County Wind Action Group, said they were disappointed they weren't previously notified that the genGrowth proposal was to progress. Council acknowledged the company's application was complete and brought it to the next stage during their meeting in mid-June. Anderson noted they and Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO) have "a number of concerns" not the least of which is health. He said WCO has done a survey of 77 residents living near wind turbines and many report health issues ranging from irritability to sleeping problems and more. Pets and farm animals have also been impacted, added Anderson.

"A few have actually had to abandon their homes," said Anderson.

Anderson called for Amherstburg to be one of the municipalities calling for independent study into the matter. He also voiced concerns over rumours that there would be a 300m setback, noting the controversial Bill 150 calls for setbacks of 550m. Anderson did acknowledge it was just a rumour and looked for clarification. He urged town council to "step back from the politics of green energy" and wanted more consideration given to rural residents. Anderson also believed wind energy is unreliable and is "an extremely expensive redundancy at best."

Councillor Bob Pillon said he did not hear of any 300m setback rumours, and added he shares much of the same concerns as residents.

"The reason we approved the application was to get it going and get public input," said Pillon. "We want public input."

Pillon noted the town does not want people to get sick or suffer adverse effects should something come to fruition.

Another resident, Jeannette Jacobsen, was worried that council "opened the door for turbines in Amherstburg" and pointed out the 600m setbacks looked at by the town. She questioned why the town did not do more investigation on a health study she said she submitted last year. She believed there are 200 homes that could be impacted and asked what would happen if the turbines were to go in and subsequently bothered residents in the area.

"Is genGrowth planning on turning off the turbines if they disrupt homeowners?" she asked.

Jacobsen suggested an OMB appeal would be likely if the South Side Wind Farm were to be approved.

"There is enough evidence now to show that they should be placed as far from homes as possible," said Jacobsen.

Manager of Development Services Jackie Hubbs stated that they are in the beginning stages of the application and determining site specific locations and land use. She said a public meeting has to be set up in a 180 day window of the application being deemed complete and while she suggested a meeting in August, council pushed it back to September due to some residents perhaps being on vacation.