Developers tell you that hill top property will soar with the rush to build industrial wind projects. The money printing press will run overtime, just set your price and the bucks will flow in. “Greed is Good” – so says Gordon Gekko – and Wall Street is just delighted that gluttonous landholders are willing to lease fields for peanuts. The Town Board of Italy has succumbed to the siren’s call. The proposed renunciation of their comprehensive plan to approve selective locations for Ecogen wind turbines smacks of favoritism for preferred landholders, at the expense of the vast majority of property owners.
What would drive an elected board to reverse the overwhelming will of community opposition to the industrialization of Italy? The answer lies in the repugnant culture and predatory business practices of wind developers and their lawyers. In Cohocton, where the Town Board has been flunkies for major landowners, First Wind/UPC Wind pays the legal fees for the town to approve the project. The experience in Italy, where the board originally established strict zoning prohibitions incurred a cost purported over $100,000 when sued by the developer.
The notion that land values will dramatically rise provides little benefit for homeowners who are unable to sell their homesteads for the obvious reason. Who really wants to buy a house next to an industrial project? Of course, the price for industrial land is higher than that of residential or farm land. Yet, the wind developer loves to play on the lust factor, and lead naive non-participating landholders to believe that they will see their own property increase in value. The analogy would be that of Iberdrola ads telling utility rate consumers that their electric bills will remain stable or even decrease because an international powerhouse is ready to scoop up your current electric company.
Examine the experience in Cohocton and Prattsburgh:
1. First Wind is a named party in the Prattsburgh Eminent Domain lawsuit.
2. First Wind is under criminal investigation by NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
3. First Wind liability from CWW legal challenge of “Special Use” permits.
4. First Wind named in the Naples and Prattsburgh School Districts SCIDA lawsuits.
5. Clipper turbines, gearbox and blade failures place the project operations in doubt.
So you ask how does all this affect the price for my house. Remember that industrial wind projects seek tax exemptions. PILOT programs simply put means that the remaining homeowners will need to makeup and pay the shortfall from the wind project exclusion. The leased farmland to the developer never pays their fair share of property taxes, while the landowner sees only treasure in the phantom promises from developers.
A recent newspaper report has Supervisor Jack Zigenfus crying about of the lack of money for Cohocton to pay their bills. The “so called” host agreement was to bring in around $725,000 in January 2008. No proof of receipt of those funds has even been provided. Do you think that taxpayers will get a pass on this shortfall? Last year’s 100% re-assessment increased three fold for scores of non-participating (anti UPC) residents. Nevertheless, what about the market value of their homes?
Ask a local realtor. This is a typical quote: “I do not plan on listing any property next to wind turbines. They will be too hard to sell.” Does this sound like a bonanza for the typical homeowner? Russell Bounds, a realtor, testified to the Maryland PSC that more than 25 prospective buyers looked at property in areas within 15 miles of proposed (how much worse when a project is actually built) wind plant development. After disclosure, not one perspective buyer made an offer for these properties, although they did purchase elsewhere.
No one needs to make known what you can already see with your own eyes. The documented worldwide record of negative impact on home prices near industrial wind projects is breathtaking. (factual case studies available) Rely on your own common sense each time you look up at Cohocton and Dutch Hill. Then imagine dozens of additional turbines in Prattsburgh and Italy in your viewshed, paying virtually zilch in taxes. Your reward is a tax bill that many cannot afford.
For every thousand dollars of valuation lost by landowners near the project will be made up by increased taxes for those on the other side of the town. The reality really sinks in when you are unable to sell your property. The wind developer does not need your land. You are expendable! However, your tax obligation is infinite.
Residents of Italy you have the power to stop the proposed unconscionable betrayal by your town board. Demand the resignation of any elected official that bows to extortion from wind developers. Organize, participate and contribute in a malfeasance legal action that seeks punitive damages. Protect your property values or be condemned to servitude.
James Hall member of Cohocton Wind Watch
No comments:
Post a Comment