Logan Township supervisors will allow a wind farm developer to build the nation's next-to-tallest wind turbines in Chestnut Flats.

Supervisors voted 4-to-1 Thursday night to allow Gamesa Energy to build 19 turbines north of Altoona, making them visible from 17th Street, Mill Run Road, Old Mill Run Road and along Route 36. Because of the vote, the turbines can placed on 335-foot towers, rather than 270 feet as allowed by ordinance.

The taller tower height will make them slightly shorter than the 345-foot tower turbines built in Scurry County, Texas, regarded as the tallest turbines in the U.S.

The 335-foot towers will yield 15 percent more electricity, Gamesa Energy representative Jon Baker told supervisors Thursday night.

They were considered, Baker said, after supervisors declined to allow turbines to be built inside and outside the wind zone, north and south of Route 36. All 19 turbines will be inside the wind zone.

Supervisors Chairman Frank Meloy said he was satisfied with information Gamesa provided to answer questions about potential problems, including noise.

Engineer Rob Kolsmanberger of Navarro & Wright, New Cumberland, who reviewed the project on the township's behalf, said the wind turbines will generate noise, but not a distinguishable amount if 335-foot towers are used instead of 270-foot towers.

"You will hear some results ... kind of a swooshing effect ... but either option will fall below the noise level stipulated by the township," Kolsmanberger said.

Supervisor Joe Metzgar asked about the closest residents. Three property owners have signed agreements endorsing the project. The closest property owner who did not sign an agreement is more than a half mile away.

Metzgar also asked about the build-up of ice on the turbine blades. Baker said ice should be shed before the blade starts moving.

"I still have concerns about flicker, icing and sound," Metzgar said after the meeting. "I'm just not sure those issues were properly addressed ... and if you're not 100 percent satisfied, you shouldn't vote for something."

Supervisor Jim Patterson said he felt a lot of his questions were answered but admitted that this is a new endeavor in the township.

"We're not engineers," Meloy said, "and really, there's no certainty with anything."

Before construction begins, supervisors will need to review and approve a series of engineering comments that will make up a land development plan. The township planning commission reviewed the comments Tuesday night and approved all requests but one.