Mining, wind energy are hot topics
The Journal Register|Holly Weber|June 23, 2006
ALBION — Moratoriums were the theme of the Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday night. Planners recommended approval for six-month moratoriums on wind energy development and mining operations in the Town of Shelby, as well as moratoriums on wind energy systems and high-density housing in the Town of Albion.
ALBION — Moratoriums were the theme of the Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday night. Planners recommended approval for six-month moratoriums on wind energy development and mining operations in the Town of Shelby, as well as moratoriums on wind energy systems and high-density housing in the Town of Albion.
Board member Thomas Fuller of Shelby presented the town’s request for the mining moratorium. Shelby has received a request from Frontier Stone, LLC to construct a stone quarry on Fletcher Chapel Road.
“We’ve got one that’s going in and ... I think I counted 25 or 30 people that were very upset about it,” Fuller said.
He added since Frontier Stone has already begun the application process, he is unsure what the purpose of the Town Board’s moratorium request is, other than to prevent other companies from applying before the town can examine their codes.
“I have no idea what for,” he said. “We already have codes in place, these people have already presented this to the town.”
Senior Planner James Bensley said the current code in …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright] Board member Thomas Fuller of Shelby presented the town’s request for the mining moratorium. Shelby has received a request from Frontier Stone, LLC to construct a stone quarry on Fletcher Chapel Road.
“We’ve got one that’s going in and ... I think I counted 25 or 30 people that were very upset about it,” Fuller said.
He added since Frontier Stone has already begun the application process, he is unsure what the purpose of the Town Board’s moratorium request is, other than to prevent other companies from applying before the town can examine their codes.
“I have no idea what for,” he said. “We already have codes in place, these people have already presented this to the town.”
Senior Planner James Bensley said the current code in Shelby allows mining facilities to be built in an
agricultural/residential district. He said while it might be possible to stop an application from proceeding with a moratorium, Frontier Stone did not oppose the request.
“The company that’s doing this doesn’t have a problem with (the moratorium),” Fuller said.
The board also approved an amendment to the text of Shelby’s zoning ordinance for another six-month moratorium, this time for wind energy systems.
“This is a simple thing,” Fuller said. “It’s what every other town is sending through. We have no concerns.”
The board recommended approval on the moratorium on wind turbines in both the towns of Shelby and Albion.
Another municipality that put a similar wind energy moratorium in place is making a step in the direction of building those towers.
Duncan McEachern of CPV Wind Barre, LLC, brought a site plan review for the construction of a meteorological tower on two sites in the town of Barre. The town placed a moratorium on wind turbines, but exempted meteorological structures, which collect information needed to build the wind turbines.
“The sole purpose of these towers is to measure wind speed and direction,” McEachern said. “They have no energy source provided to them.”
While it did not have to go before the board, it still recommended approval of the site plan reviews. The towers would be located on West Lee Road and Pine Hill Road if approved by the town.