A proposal to build the area's tallest wind turbines, visible from downtown Altoona to the Buckhorn, has been forwarded to the Logan Township Planning Commission for comment. Supervisors, who asked Thursday night if the taller-than-typical height would affect noise and visibility from the Horseshoe Curve, agreed that they want the planning commission to look at the latest proposal.
A proposal to build the area's tallest wind turbines, visible from downtown Altoona to the Buckhorn, has been forwarded to the Logan Township Planning Commission for comment. Supervisors, who asked Thursday night if the taller-than-typical height would affect noise and visibility from the Horseshoe Curve, agreed that they want the planning commission to look at the latest proposal.
A proposal to build the area's tallest wind turbines, visible from downtown Altoona to the Buckhorn, has been forwarded to the Logan Township Planning Commission for comment.
Supervisors, who asked Thursday night if the taller-than-typical height would affect noise and visibility from the Horseshoe Curve, agreed that they want the planning commission to look at the latest proposal.
Gamesa Energy USA representatives asked the township to change its ordinance to permit construction of turbines with a 335-foot tower on the Chestnut Flats area. Under the current ordinance, a tower is allowed to be 270 feet.
Solicitor Larry Clapper said if supervisors want to change the ordinance, they will first need to hold a public hearing and get …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]A proposal to build the area's tallest wind turbines, visible from downtown Altoona to the Buckhorn, has been forwarded to the Logan Township Planning Commission for comment.
Supervisors, who asked Thursday night if the taller-than-typical height would affect noise and visibility from the Horseshoe Curve, agreed that they want the planning commission to look at the latest proposal.
Gamesa Energy USA representatives asked the township to change its ordinance to permit construction of turbines with a 335-foot tower on the Chestnut Flats area. Under the current ordinance, a tower is allowed to be 270 feet.
Solicitor Larry Clapper said if supervisors want to change the ordinance, they will first need to hold a public hearing and get planning commission comments. Rather than going through that process, which involves some expense, Clapper recommended getting planning commission comments first.
The commission has a June 2 meeting scheduled at Juniata Gap Elementary School to hear concerns about a zoning change near Penn State Altoona, which would permit additional construction of student housing. Another meeting to consider the taller wind turbines will need to be designated, said township Director of Development Cassandra Schmick.
Gamesa representative Jon Baker told supervisors that his company proposed taller turbines as way to keep the proposed wind development inside the wind zone. The latest version shows construction of 18 wind turbines with 335 foot towers and one turbine with a 270-foot tower.
Supervisor Jim Patterson asked if taller turbines generate more noise.
"The net effect on the sound is negligible," Baker said.
Supervisor Joe Metzgar asked about the visibility, especially from the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site.
Baker said the positions aren't changing so they won't be visible from the Curve. They will be visible from downtown Altoona, Mill Run Road, Old Mill Run Road and along Route 36.
Patterson and Metzgar also asked Baker why the wind farm plans keep changing.
"We're not trying to keep changing our minds," Baker said. "We're trying to change based on what you guys want."