Albemarle County Panel Supports Wind Turbines

Albemarle County Planning Commission members agree that wind turbines provide environmental benefits, and chief concerns have been the noise that turbines create and the potential for eyesores. But, those concerns didn't seem to outweigh the benefits, as the Planning Commission sent a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisiors that called for wind turbines to be allowed in the county.

Officials have created guidelines that generally restrict the height of wind turbines to the allowed height of buildings. Also, some experts have ensured officials that newer model wind turbines aren’t disruptive to neighbors and in some cases hardly make any noise.

This is great news for homeowners because if the Board approves this recommendation, then Albemarle County can become move forward with a new source of reliable, sustainable energy. It could also lead to new jobs and boosting the local economy.

"With little hesitation, the Albemarle County Planning Commission sent a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that called for wind turbines to be allowed in the county.

Planning Commission members hope that by allowing small power-generating wind turbines, the county will encourage renewable energy use.

Local environmentalists spoke in favor of allowing wind turbines in Albemarle at Tuesday’s public hearing.

Kathy Rash of Forever Albemarle said the group has met with county farmers and their neighbors, who are 'very much in favor' of allowing wind turbines.

It was nearly two years ago when supervisors asked Planning Commission members to put their heads together alongside county officials, to provide supervisors guidance about whether wind turbines should be allowed in Albemarle.

Planning Commission members have spent little time debating whether turbines should be permitted, focusing instead on what kind of turbines should be allowed, where they should be restricted and what kind of regulations could reduce nuisances to neighbors."

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