Article
Amendment would limit tower heights
Berkshire Eagle|Patrick G. Rheaume |March 23, 2006
HANCOCK — A proposed amendment to the town's zoning bylaw would restrict the height of cell phone towers and wind turbines to 120 feet, effectively prohibiting additional commercial wind energy projects.
HANCOCK — A proposed amendment to the town's zoning bylaw would restrict the height of cell phone towers and wind turbines to 120 feet, effectively prohibiting additional commercial wind energy projects.
The amendment would prohibit towers that are built for "commercial telecommunications" or "the commercial generation of electricity" and are more than 120 feet above ground level, measured from the base of the tower.
Previously authorized town permits, which the amendment would not revoke, allow Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort to construct a 320-foot wind turbine near the ski area and Berkshire Wind LLC to build 11 turbines on Brodie Mountain.
Many towns in the state require special permits for wind turbines and have certain restrictions, said Nathaniel Karns, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. But, he said, "I haven't heard of any that have a flat-out standard (of 120 feet)."
Karns said the height limit would …
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Previously authorized town permits, which the amendment would not revoke, allow Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort to construct a 320-foot wind turbine near the ski area and Berkshire Wind LLC to build 11 turbines on Brodie Mountain.
Many towns in the state require special permits for wind turbines and have certain restrictions, said Nathaniel Karns, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. But, he said, "I haven't heard of any that have a flat-out standard (of 120 feet)."
Karns said the height limit would …
The amendment would prohibit towers that are built for "commercial telecommunications" or "the commercial generation of electricity" and are more than 120 feet above ground level, measured from the base of the tower.
Previously authorized town permits, which the amendment would not revoke, allow Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort to construct a 320-foot wind turbine near the ski area and Berkshire Wind LLC to build 11 turbines on Brodie Mountain.
Many towns in the state require special permits for wind turbines and have certain restrictions, said Nathaniel Karns, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. But, he said, "I haven't heard of any that have a flat-out standard (of 120 feet)."
Karns said the height limit would "effectively preclude" commercial wind farms. Nils Bolgen, a program manager for Renewable Energy Trust of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, agreed. Bolgen, whose organization provides financial support for the development of wind energy, expects the wind turbines on Brodie Mountain to exceed 300 feet.
Joan Burdick, chairwoman of the Planning Board, said the amendments would limit the problems of growth in a community of fewer than 1,000 people.
"The Planning Board is often criticized for not doing enough to protect the town," she said during an interview. "So, we came up with these limits. Hancock is growing."
Burdick added that the amendments would require approval at the upcoming town meeting. She remains uncertain about public opinion on wind turbines, and she said the hearing gives people an opportunity to share their perspectives.
Plans for wind power developments remain controversial throughout Berkshire County.
Supporters have claimed that wind produces clean energy efficiently and inexpensively.
Opponents have argued that wind turbines don't create enough power to compensate for their visual effect on scenic ridgelines.
PPM Energy recently purchased the proposed Hoosac Wind project, a $40 million effort to install 20 wind turbines on ridgelines in Florida and Monroe that would generate about 30 megawatts of power. Concerns about impacts on the hills have moved the anticipated beginning of the project's operations from 2004 to 2007.
In October 2005, the Lenox Select Board voted, three to two, against installing a wind turbine.
Jiminy Peak's turbine, announced in October 2005 and quickly approved by the town, would generate power generated for lighting, chair-lifts and snowmaking.
The board will hold a public hearing on April 3 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 43. Copies of the proposed amendments are available in the office of the town clerk during regular hours.
Restrictions on the height of cell-phone towers, Karns said, require providers to build more towers to increase coverage. He said the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 allows cities and towns to limit the size of these towers, but local governments cannot eliminate them entirely.
Another amendment under consideration by the Planning Board would prohibit houses or apartments more than 50 feet tall, with exceptions for chimneys, antennas, cupolas or similar accessories.
Previously authorized town permits, which the amendment would not revoke, allow Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort to construct a 320-foot wind turbine near the ski area and Berkshire Wind LLC to build 11 turbines on Brodie Mountain.
Many towns in the state require special permits for wind turbines and have certain restrictions, said Nathaniel Karns, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. But, he said, "I haven't heard of any that have a flat-out standard (of 120 feet)."
Karns said the height limit would "effectively preclude" commercial wind farms. Nils Bolgen, a program manager for Renewable Energy Trust of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, agreed. Bolgen, whose organization provides financial support for the development of wind energy, expects the wind turbines on Brodie Mountain to exceed 300 feet.
Joan Burdick, chairwoman of the Planning Board, said the amendments would limit the problems of growth in a community of fewer than 1,000 people.
"The Planning Board is often criticized for not doing enough to protect the town," she said during an interview. "So, we came up with these limits. Hancock is growing."
Burdick added that the amendments would require approval at the upcoming town meeting. She remains uncertain about public opinion on wind turbines, and she said the hearing gives people an opportunity to share their perspectives.
Plans for wind power developments remain controversial throughout Berkshire County.
Supporters have claimed that wind produces clean energy efficiently and inexpensively.
Opponents have argued that wind turbines don't create enough power to compensate for their visual effect on scenic ridgelines.
PPM Energy recently purchased the proposed Hoosac Wind project, a $40 million effort to install 20 wind turbines on ridgelines in Florida and Monroe that would generate about 30 megawatts of power. Concerns about impacts on the hills have moved the anticipated beginning of the project's operations from 2004 to 2007.
In October 2005, the Lenox Select Board voted, three to two, against installing a wind turbine.
Jiminy Peak's turbine, announced in October 2005 and quickly approved by the town, would generate power generated for lighting, chair-lifts and snowmaking.
The board will hold a public hearing on April 3 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 43. Copies of the proposed amendments are available in the office of the town clerk during regular hours.
Restrictions on the height of cell-phone towers, Karns said, require providers to build more towers to increase coverage. He said the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 allows cities and towns to limit the size of these towers, but local governments cannot eliminate them entirely.
Another amendment under consideration by the Planning Board would prohibit houses or apartments more than 50 feet tall, with exceptions for chimneys, antennas, cupolas or similar accessories.