Town will try to ‘catch the wind’ (July 18, 2008)
By Amanda Estes
Editor
The Cape Elizabeth Town Council threw its support behind a pilot wind energy project for municipal use, but was reluctant to back the planning board’s recommendation to permit “small wind energy systems” in town without further review.
During Monday’s council meeting, Councilor and Ordinance Committee Chairman Cynthia Dill said the planning board’s recommendation to amend the zoning ordinance to allow individual windmills up to 100 feet in height on minimum lot areas of 20,000 square feet was “a little too bold.”
The council voted 6 to 0 (Councilor Paul McKenney was absent) to discuss the small wind energy amendments during a council workshop with the goal of bringing the issue back for a vote at the Aug. 11 council meeting. Councilor Jim Rowe said he is in favor of moving ahead with residential wind systems, but has lingering concerns about setbacks and noise. Councilor Anne Swift-Kayatta also said she would like the council to compare towers supported by guy wires to the monopole design recommended by the planning board. Some of the 13 residents who spoke in favor of small wind systems during Monday’s public hearing said guy wire towers are stronger and less expensive than monopole towers.
As residents face another expensive winter, they asked the council to pursue “bold and creative initiatives.”
Resident David Sanford suggested the council afford homeowners “who are willing to experiment” the opportunity to be pioneers in town and report back to the council on the progress of their systems.
The school grounds and the transfer station have been mentioned as possible locations for a town-operated wind energy system. On Monday, the council unanimously voted to authorize Town Manager Michael McGovern and Council Chairman Mary Ann Lynch to sign a grant application endorsed by the alternative energy committee and the school board to apply to Efficiency Maine for the installation of a 100-foot tower and an anemometer to measure wind conditions of the school property.
Editor
The Cape Elizabeth Town Council threw its support behind a pilot wind energy project for municipal use, but was reluctant to back the planning board’s recommendation to permit “small wind energy systems” in town without further review.
During Monday’s council meeting, Councilor and Ordinance Committee Chairman Cynthia Dill said the planning board’s recommendation to amend the zoning ordinance to allow individual windmills up to 100 feet in height on minimum lot areas of 20,000 square feet was “a little too bold.”
The council voted 6 to 0 (Councilor Paul McKenney was absent) to discuss the small wind energy amendments during a council workshop with the goal of bringing the issue back for a vote at the Aug. 11 council meeting. Councilor Jim Rowe said he is in favor of moving ahead with residential wind systems, but has lingering concerns about setbacks and noise. Councilor Anne Swift-Kayatta also said she would like the council to compare towers supported by guy wires to the monopole design recommended by the planning board. Some of the 13 residents who spoke in favor of small wind systems during Monday’s public hearing said guy wire towers are stronger and less expensive than monopole towers.
As residents face another expensive winter, they asked the council to pursue “bold and creative initiatives.”
Resident David Sanford suggested the council afford homeowners “who are willing to experiment” the opportunity to be pioneers in town and report back to the council on the progress of their systems.
The school grounds and the transfer station have been mentioned as possible locations for a town-operated wind energy system. On Monday, the council unanimously voted to authorize Town Manager Michael McGovern and Council Chairman Mary Ann Lynch to sign a grant application endorsed by the alternative energy committee and the school board to apply to Efficiency Maine for the installation of a 100-foot tower and an anemometer to measure wind conditions of the school property.
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