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Windmills could be up in Gorham by fall

MPN Now.com|Michele E. Cutri-Bynoe|August 4, 2008
New YorkZoning/Planning

The town approved an 80-foot windmill, but Fuller needs the tower at least 20 feet higher to produce enough energy to qualify for a grant program with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. ...In June, the Planning Board approved the first residential windmill in Gorham, a tower up to 140 feet high on a farm on Jones Road over looking Canandaigua Lake. Owner Jack Schilbe knew his proposed windmill had to be at least 100 feet high to produce enough wind energy to power his 100-acre farm. He asked that additional footage be added to his proposal to give him more latitude to qualify for grant money.


The second of two windmills separate residents have proposed building this year in Gorham will be reviewed this month.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 4736 South St., to vote on John Fuller's request for a variance to put a 100-foot-tall tower on his eight-acre Hall Road property.

The town approved an 80-foot windmill, but Fuller needs the tower at least 20 feet higher to produce enough energy to qualify for a grant program with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Fuller owns rural residential property. He will need both a height and setback variance. Fuller's proposal doesn't meet the town's 198-foot setback requirement from his own residence, explained Sue …

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The second of two windmills separate residents have proposed building this year in Gorham will be reviewed this month.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 4736 South St., to vote on John Fuller's request for a variance to put a 100-foot-tall tower on his eight-acre Hall Road property.

The town approved an 80-foot windmill, but Fuller needs the tower at least 20 feet higher to produce enough energy to qualify for a grant program with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Fuller owns rural residential property. He will need both a height and setback variance. Fuller's proposal doesn't meet the town's 198-foot setback requirement from his own residence, explained Sue Yarger, the town's zoning clerk. The way zoning laws are set up, a double variance requires approval from the Ontario County Planning Board as well, said Yarger.

In June, the Planning Board approved the first residential windmill in Gorham, a tower up to 140 feet high on a farm on Jones Road over looking Canandaigua Lake. Owner Jack Schilbe knew his proposed windmill had to be at least 100 feet high to produce enough wind energy to power his 100-acre farm. He asked that additional footage be added to his proposal to give him more latitude to qualify for grant money.

"I don't want to put up (a windmill higher) than I have to, but I don't want to have to come back to this board," said Schilbe, explaining the requirements for the state's grant program.

Pictures of Schilbe's land from various vantage points were reviewed by the board, so members could determine whether his proposed 130-foot, galvanized, open lattice windmill tower would be an eyesore for lake residents.

"A hundred and thirty foot tower isn't going to pop up above the skyline," said Planning Board Chairman Thomas Harvey looking at photos.

"No way you can see anything," agreed board member Dale Frankish.

"You won't see it from the East Lake Road," said board member Robert Farmer.

After determining the windmill wouldn't pose a threat to lake residents' views, one board member suggested giving even more latitude in height.

"What's the highest tower Bergey makes?" asked Neil Atkins of the windmill manufacturer.

"One hundred and forty feet," answered Mike Parks, president of Northeast Renewable Energy Resources Inc. in Bloomfield, the company Schilbe is using to erect his windmill. His answer led to the board's decision to approve the 140-foot windmill providing Schilbe documents the need for additional height.

Northeast Renewable Energy still hopes to erect both windmills this fall. Fuller's windmill is set to go once he receives both variances, said Parks. Schilbe's windmill is on order, so the plan is to put both of them up in September, if possible.

Contact Michele Cutri-Bynoe at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 256, or at messenger@messengerpostmedia.com.


Source:http://www.mpnnow.com/news/x1…

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