Bath, N.Y.
A Bath Town Board committee will study other municipalities’ wind turbine laws in preparation of drafting a local law regarding wind farm developments.
Town Councilwoman Robin Lattimer, Planning Board Chairman James Emo and Mitchellsville resident James Arthur were named to the committee Monday.
Last month, Lattimer said wind turbine technology is improving, thereby increasing the odds a wind farm developer may someday be attracted to the Bath area. To date, wind patterns in the town have not distinguished it as a candidate for wind turbine developments.
Town Supervisor Fred Muller suggested the board consider a moratorium on wind farms while the committee investigates land use regulations.
“The one time we could’ve had a moratorium, we didn’t and it came back to haunt us,” Muller said, referring to the construction of an adult products store on Worth Road. Rumors of such a store preceded its opening by months, and Muller said a moratorium could have been effective in preventing the store from opening.
“I don’t know that it’s necessary to throw up a moratorium,” Lattimer said.
No action was taken on Muller’s suggestion.
Separately, Bath town resident Hal Bailey told board members he has visited several wind turbine sites in Cohocton during windy conditions. “I could hear the wind blowing, but I couldn’t hear the windmill,” Bailey said.
The Cohocton wind turbines have been the source of several noise-related complaints by residents. Bailey, however, said he stood directly under one of the turbines and didn’t think the noise was troublesome.
Lattimer said setback requirements would likely be a principal feature of any local land use regulation. However, she added, the subcommittee would take its time researching the issue.
“We’re not going to rush into it,” she said.
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