The Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night unanimously upheld second-generation farmer Glenn Cook’s permit to install three small-scale turbines on the 145-acre Fern Avenue farm........ Building Inspector Dennis Nadeau said he stood by his initial approval of the project. “Farm equipment is exempt from most zoning regulations,” he said, suggesting that the wind turbines fall under the category of equipment rather than property. “There have been windmills on farms for years.”
The Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night unanimously upheld second-generation farmer Glenn Cook’s permit to install three small-scale turbines on the 145-acre Fern Avenue farm........ Building Inspector Dennis Nadeau said he stood by his initial approval of the project. “Farm equipment is exempt from most zoning regulations,” he said, suggesting that the wind turbines fall under the category of equipment rather than property. “There have been windmills on farms for years.”
Cider Hill Farm, which prides itself on recreating a “bygone era” of “simple pleasures,” is taking a big step into the future. The Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night unanimously upheld second-generation farmer Glenn Cook’s permit to install three small-scale turbines on the 145-acre Fern Avenue farm.
According to Glen’s father Ed, by winter the farm could be powering up to 70 percent of its greenhouses, irrigation systems and storage units with renewable wind energy.
Farm abutter Jane Snow outlined her case for a review of the permit approval at the meeting. Snow argued that the 120-foot wind turbines are not permitted under town zoning regulations and Massachusetts General Law.
“I am not a NIMBY,” Snow said, explaining that …
Cider Hill Farm, which prides itself on recreating a “bygone era” of “simple pleasures,” is taking a big step into the future. The Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night unanimously upheld second-generation farmer Glenn Cook’s permit to install three small-scale turbines on the 145-acre Fern Avenue farm.
According to Glen’s father Ed, by winter the farm could be powering up to 70 percent of its greenhouses, irrigation systems and storage units with renewable wind energy.
Farm abutter Jane Snow outlined her case for a review of the permit approval at the meeting. Snow argued that the 120-foot wind turbines are not permitted under town zoning regulations and Massachusetts General Law.
“I am not a NIMBY,” Snow said, explaining that she supports wind energy in theory. “I am a RIMBY — Responsible In My Back Yard. My concern is permit and process.”
Snow said she believed turbine approval would require a special exception from the bylaws which do not address wind turbine regulations. Snow also said she was concerned about noise disturbance, classification of the use of the energy as commercial and a precedent that would allow for turbines on any piece of agricultural land.
Building Inspector Dennis Nadeau said he stood by his initial approval of the project.
“Farm equipment is exempt from most zoning regulations,” he said, suggesting that the wind turbines fall under the category of equipment rather than property. “There have been windmills on farms for years.”
In response to Snow’s suggestion that procedure was not properly followed, Nadeau said that, contrary to her concerns, he has approved revised plans for the project. Cook’s permit approval, which Nadeau signed late, would have taken effect anyway in 30 days without the signature.
Further support for Nadeau’s judgment came from Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director James Slattery. A 20-year veteran farm advocate, Slattery said because many other large farm structures, like harvest silos, are considered farm equipment under Massachusetts General Law 40a, Cook did not even need a zoning permit to install the turbines.
“He could have quite frankly gone ahead and built them,” Slattery said. “He has gone overboard [in participating in the permit process].” Slattery added that in his experience, the noise generated from the turbines will dissipate quickly over the roughly 500 feet from the turbine to Snow’s property line.
Mayor Thatcher Kezer weighed in on the issue earlier this week, isolating a key point in the debate.
“The question being raised is, are they truly farm equipment? If they were the old rickety, wooden kind, I don’t think there would be any question, but it’s modern technology, it’s metal and it will be directly generating electricity. That’s the debate.”
Ed Cook answered this concern, saying the turbines would generate less than half of the total power used by the farm. The power generated would be used solely for direct agricultural use for the farm’s greenhouses, irrigation systems and storage units. According to Slatterly, the farm could produce up to 150 percent of the power used on the farm through turbines before it would be considered commercial energy production. Ed Cook says the family will pay for the three wind turbines themselves, then receive 75-80 percent of the cost back through a grant from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
The ZBA deliberated briefly before reaching its decision.
“The question in front of us is narrow. It is: did the building inspector err in assessing this as farm equipment?” Chair Matthew J. Sherrill said. The ZBA voted against the appeal in front of a crowd of more than 50 concerned residents and a section of wind power supporters that applauded the decision.
Following the meeting Ed Cook said he is confident that the turbines will be an unobtrusive addition to the neighborhood.
“Most of our neighbors are supportive and excited about them,” he said. “And I think those that are concerned will find they are not as loud or as big as they fear.”