Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council held a second hearing Aug. 3 to amend Chapter 16 — Land Use and Development Code, to add in Chapter II, Section VIII, Small Wind Energy Systems; and Chapter I, Section V, Definitions — but despite nearly an hour of discussion, determined more information and research into the matter was needed before councilors could make a final decision. In the end, Council voted 6-0 (Councilor Ron McPherson was absent) in favor of returning the ordinance to the Planning Board for further review. Much of the meeting focused on public discussion of how the ordinance would impact not only residential construction of wind energy systems but how projects currently being proposed by SAD 1 and Northern Maine Community College would be impacted if the amendments were approved.
Larry Fox, director for the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, spoke on behalf of SAD 1, referring to a memo addressing the City Council regarding a wind energy project.
“The four reasons for pursuing a wind turbine project include: lower electrical costs, stable cost of power, green community leadership and the educational opportunities they’d provide,” Fox told the Council.
In summary, Fox said the proposed Section VIII Small Wind Energy System (SWES) Ordinance “restricts the district’s pursuit of a project at the middle school site. Section D — Large Wind Energy Systems restricts such systems to the three zones listed in the ordinance, specifically the Agricultural/Farming Zone (AFZ), Industrial Zone (IZ) and Light Industrial Zone (LIZ). The middle school site is in Urban Residential Zone 1 (URZ1),” said Fox, requesting that the proposed ordinance be “amended in a fashion that would allow a wind energy project at the middle school to move forward.”
Leo Freeman, owner of Perception Aroostook, identified himself as an installer of low-wind generators and questioned the power generation of 5 KwH, noting he was not in favor of the ordinance as proposed. Freeman suggested that an option of 100 KwH or less as small wind generation be considered.
“When I did some Internet research on windmills, I also found roof-mounted and side-mounted varieties. I think we should take into consideration the variations out there, so we don’t have to come back later (to update the ordinance again),” said Councilor Calvin Hall.
NMCC Director of Finance Larry LaPlante was next to address the Council, referring to a memo previously submitted regarding the proposed SWES, recommending changes to the drafted ordinance to address issues affecting the college.
“With the way the ordinance is drafted, NMCC is located in the Urban Residential Zone (URZ). The College would be restricted in having a wind energy system,” explained LaPlante.
For several years NMCC has been exploring alternative energy uses for the campus to not only reduce its carbon footprint but also to reduce its dependence on energy produced by foreign oil, said LaPlante. With the significant fluctuations in fuel oil prices during the summer of 2008, NMCC increased its efforts to conserve energy and seek alternative sources of energy, especially wind power.
“NMCC is requesting that the ordinance be changed to allow an exception for the college in its current zone to pursue the development of a large wind energy project,” LaPlante said, requesting councilors send the proposed ordinance back to the Planning Board for revision.
Councilor Walt Elish noted that both NMCC and Presque Isle Middle School are located away from housing and closer to Industrial Park activities.
“NMCC sits almost in the middle of the Industrial Park, Presque Isle Middle School sits almost across from the housing but near the Industrial Zone,” said Elish, adding that it could be a win-win situation if the city and SAD 1 teamed up on a project in the area of the middle school, with both using the energy produced.
Had the amendments been in place when the University of Maine at Presque Isle was first considering erecting a wind turbine, one the size they have now would not have been allowed. The ordinance changes include height and property setback restrictions, based on lot size and proximity to other structures, as well as space allowances for safety concerns should a generator collapse or a blade detach.
UMPI President Don Zillman discussed the university’s wind turbine which was installed in May 2009.
“There’ve been no complaints regarding noise from the turbine,” Zillman said.
“The noise from the turbine is very minimal and has not been an issue,” added Charlie Bonin, vice president of administration/finance at UMPI.
Jenny LaChance, a Presque Isle resident, said she’s gone to UMPI to look at the windmill and to see if it created much noise and, in doing so, determined it did not.
“The traffic on Main St. created more noise,” said LaChance. “The windmills are beautiful and are appealing to look at. It’s a testament to what communities can produce from natural resources and is in the best interest of our community.”
According to City Planning and Development Director Ken Arndt, over the last two months, there have been many conversations with the public regarding the proposed ordinance. Arndt suggested that the City Council send the proposed ordinance back to the Planning Board to address several issues that have come forward.
“I’m glad about the idea of sending this back to the Planning Board. All I can picture is windmills sprouting up in every backyard in Presque Isle, making it look like Mars Hill,” said Councilor Don Gardner.
“That’s at the heart of this. All lots are not created equal. I don’t see the vision of these being like burdock bushes spreading around my house. There’ll be very few, if you base (construction) on distance from lot lines; that will restrict the number of them,” said Arndt.
The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. For more information, contact 764-2503.
