Prattsburgh, NY
The events described in a recent article need some clarification. It was reported that “Both councilmen repeatedly said the current Ecogen project would be exempt from any new action by the board.” We believe this is about board discussions this past year surrounding our yet to be completed wind law. We asked for a “variance” procedure to be included in our wind law. This was in no way to “exempt” any one developer or to exclude any one developer. It was to allow any developer to ask for a variance to portions of the law. When language was added to the law specifically exempting Ecogen from the law, we adamantly argued against it. Any land use regulations should provide for a variance procedure, and this law should be no different.
It is our belief that the Town should not enact legislation that favors or hinders any particular developer. We also believe the Town should not be hindered by any developer from enacting legislation to protect the health and safety of the citizens. The Town should pass a common-sense wind law that protects both an individual’s right to develop their property, and other individual’s right to not develop theirs.
The noise problems occurring in Cohocton are not unique to Cohocton. We have spoken with people and heard reports from around the world describing identical experiences to those coming from residents of Cohocton. It is clear that if industrial wind turbines are installed too close to homes, there will be problems. Many people are not aware that the setbacks proposed in Prattsburgh are half of the distance of the proposed setbacks in Italy, which is part of the same project.
The next point is small, but we believe needs addressing. We are both acutely aware that the DEC has no “requirements” for noise, what they do have is recommendations. We have both asked for the developers to follow those recommendations. While we have been verbally assured that the turbines will not be noisy, when we have asked for written confirmation that they will not exceed the DEC’s recommended noise guidelines, we have repeatedly been threatened with legal action.
We want to make sure all of the residents of Prattsburgh get a clear picture of what we have both said and what our position is regarding these issues. We certainly have not been singling out any one developer in any way. What we have been doing is trying to set parameters around which any and all wind developers in the town must follow, for the health and safety of our residents.
We welcome any citizen to contact us regarding our views, and express an absolute willingness to listen to and consider your views.
Steve Kula and Chuck Shick
Prattsburgh
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