Wind turbine denied in Goshen
The Register Citizen|David Hutter|May 5, 2009
Commission members Peter Kaufman, LuAnn Zbinden, Mark Fraher, Stephen Cooney and Don Wilkes rejected the proposal because of concerns about "adverse effects upon the existing and probable future character of the neighborhood or its property values" and because "this specific site is not appropriate for this specific use."
Commission members Peter Kaufman, LuAnn Zbinden, Mark Fraher, Stephen Cooney and Don Wilkes rejected the proposal because of concerns about "adverse effects upon the existing and probable future character of the neighborhood or its property values" and because "this specific site is not appropriate for this specific use."
GOSHEN - The Goshen Planning and Zoning Commission rejected Optiwind's proposal to build a nearly 200-foot wind turbine on land owned by the Woodridge Lake Sewer District, by a vote of 5-0 at a meeting Monday night at Town Hall.
Commission members Peter Kaufman, LuAnn Zbinden, Mark Fraher, Stephen Cooney and Don Wilkes rejected the proposal because of concerns about "adverse effects upon the existing and probable future character of the neighborhood or its property values" and because "this specific site is not appropriate for this specific use."
The commission members discussed the merits of the proposal for about one hour twenty minutes and then voted. They expressed concerns that to build a wind turbine would devalue housing …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]GOSHEN - The Goshen Planning and Zoning Commission rejected Optiwind's proposal to build a nearly 200-foot wind turbine on land owned by the Woodridge Lake Sewer District, by a vote of 5-0 at a meeting Monday night at Town Hall.
Commission members Peter Kaufman, LuAnn Zbinden, Mark Fraher, Stephen Cooney and Don Wilkes rejected the proposal because of concerns about "adverse effects upon the existing and probable future character of the neighborhood or its property values" and because "this specific site is not appropriate for this specific use."
The commission members discussed the merits of the proposal for about one hour twenty minutes and then voted. They expressed concerns that to build a wind turbine would devalue housing prices and hurt the quality of life in this community of roughly 3,000 people across about 46 square miles.
"Goshen is a town rural in character," Kaufman said. "People come for aural and visual quiet."
About 30 people listened in the audience.
One commission member wanted to know if Goshen should allow any party to construct a wind turbine anywhere in Goshen. Another member replied that they are not here to address that question.
Martin Connor, enforcement officer of the Goshen Planning and Zoning Commission, took part in the meeting. He said he prepared one motion in case the commission approved the proposal and another motion in case it rejected the proposal.
The Optiwind Corp. of Torrington filed a special permit and site plan application in June 2008 to the Planning and Zoning Commission to build a 199-foot, 11-inch wind turbine to partially power the Woodridge Lake Sewer District plant at 113 Brush Hill Road. Residents came to public hearings about the proposal on Jan. 20, Feb. 24, and March 17.