Board recommends Land Use Ordinance amendments
The Bar Harbor Times|Greg Fish|August 29, 2009
The only proposed amendment generating pubic comment, though, was one that would govern wind turbines, which would be allowed at heights of up to 60 feet for residential use and 80 feet for non-residential use. "It would give folks the opportunity to do something (with wind power), but also have constraints," said Board Chairman Kevin Cochary.
The only proposed amendment generating pubic comment, though, was one that would govern wind turbines, which would be allowed at heights of up to 60 feet for residential use and 80 feet for non-residential use. "It would give folks the opportunity to do something (with wind power), but also have constraints," said Board Chairman Kevin Cochary.
BAR HARBOR: The Planning Board sped through public hearings last Wednesday night on proposed changes to the Land Use Ordinance, with comments from just one member of the public.
The board voted to recommend that all the changes should pass. Most are primarily housekeeping and include sections of the LUO dealing with shoreland zoning and traffic; others would expand the authority of the Design Review Board into Town Hill and allow enhanced home occupations in the residential zones off Rtes. 102 and 3.
The only proposed amendment generating pubic comment, though, was one that would govern wind turbines, which would be allowed at heights of up to 60 feet for residential use and 80 feet for non-residential use.
"It would give folks the …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright] BAR HARBOR: The Planning Board sped through public hearings last Wednesday night on proposed changes to the Land Use Ordinance, with comments from just one member of the public.
The board voted to recommend that all the changes should pass. Most are primarily housekeeping and include sections of the LUO dealing with shoreland zoning and traffic; others would expand the authority of the Design Review Board into Town Hill and allow enhanced home occupations in the residential zones off Rtes. 102 and 3.
The only proposed amendment generating pubic comment, though, was one that would govern wind turbines, which would be allowed at heights of up to 60 feet for residential use and 80 feet for non-residential use.
"It would give folks the opportunity to do something (with wind power), but also have constraints," said Board Chairman Kevin Cochary.
Resident Linda Martin, the sole person to comment, said that her son is in the wind energy business, and she was in favor of harnessing that type of power. Still, she wondered about potential problems with wind turbines, such as sound and vibration, saying that perhaps a buffer zone should be included in the ordinance.
Board member Lynne Williams said there were aspects of the proposed ordinance she didn't agree with, but that without it, the town had no governance at all over wind towers.
Cochary said the ordinance could be amended later as necessary.
"It'll get our foot in the door and protect us from the initial onslaught," added member Kay Stevens-Rosa.
The vote on the changes is scheduled for the Nov. 3 general election.