Oct 9, 2009 4 min read

Controversial plans to construct 22 wind turbines along Chestnut Ridge in Georges and Springhill townships for electricity generation were granted conditional final approval Thursday by the Fayette County Planning Commission with virtually no controversy. The company seeking to build the project along 3 1/2 miles of the Chestnut Ridge, Iberdrola Renewables of Portland, Ore., formerly PPM Atlantic, has been attempting to get approval to construct the wind tower project for more than two years from the Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board and has been unsuccessful.

However, a change in the zoning ordinance earlier this year by the Fayette County commissioners allows wind turbines in the zones of A-1, agricultural rural, M-1, light industrial and M-2, heavy industrial as a permitted use, thus eliminated the need for companies to seek approval from the zoning hearing board.

Previously, wind turbines were only permitted after obtaining a special exception from the zoning board.

The plans will receive final approval once waivers for building elevations, landscape and a traffic impact study, as well as applicable state approvals are granted.

The approval was granted with five yes votes and two abstentions.

Voting in favor of the approval were chairman Robert Baker, Larry Franks, Michael Benninger, Chip Ciarrocchi and Tom McCracken. Evelyn Hovanec abstained and Gary Verkleeren, who works for the company seeking to undertake the project, recused himself from the discussion and vote.

Board members Edward Andria and Louis Agostini were absent.

Although the controversial alternative energy project has been in the works for more than two years, Thursday marked the first time the plans were before the planning commission.

Jason Artice, survey technician for Fayette Engineering Company Inc., presented the plans to the planning commission.

Before the discussion began, Baker said the project is a “very active subject” and he told the board they must be careful and rely on the advice of solicitor Sheryl Heid.

Artice said the windmills, which would be constructed south of Route 40 and north of the state line, follow the Chestnut Ridge. He said the total permitted acreage is 939.4 acres, with about 60 acres to be disturbed.

Artice said Iberdrola has long-term leases with all the property owners.

The project also includes construction of four turbines in Wharton Township, which has its own zoning board that previously approved the plans. The proposed wind turbines are 262.5 feet, and the blades are 145 feet long, for a total height of 407.5 feet.

Two years ago Iberdrola started the process to build the $100 million project that is projected to provide electricity to 17,000 homes annually.

Iberdrola initially went before the zoning hearing board for four days of testimony to seek special exceptions and variance requests for the turbines on Oct. 17 and 31, 2007; Dec. 19, 2007; and Jan. 30, 2008, before the board issued a denial on March 11, 2008. The company appealed the ruling, and Judge Ralph C. Warman remanded the case to the zoning board with instructions to approve the requests. The zoning board then granted special exception requests for 14 turbines, but denied variance and special exception requests for eight turbines.

Iberdrola again appealed the decision, claiming that the zoning board defied Warman’s order in not approving all the towers.

Fayette County Judge Steve Leskinen, who held oral arguments last week and has asked all sides to submit briefs outlining their positions, is hearing the appeal.

Throughout the process, numerous people for and against the towers have testified. Neighboring property owner Thomas J. Bozek has spoken out against the project, and filed a lawsuit claiming that when the commissioners changed the ordinance earlier this year they did so without following proper procedures.

Although Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent A. Vicites previously voted to change the ordinance to allow wind turbines in certain zoning districts, the commissioners are slated to hold a public hearing at 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 22 to again discuss the change and will hold a special meeting immediately afterward to consider action. Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink voted against the change, saying it takes away a venue for residents affected by a project. She also said the issue is fairly new to the county and it may be better to continue to require a special exception, adding that she thinks it was done for a certain company.

Artice said although wind turbines in other areas are tourist attractions where people visit, those in the Chestnut Ridge will only be available by gated access roads.

Verkleeren said after the vote that he was pleased with the conditional final approval granted by the planning commission and added that he is looking forward to beginning the venture so that local businesses, suppliers and contracts can also benefit from the construction and operations of the wind turbines.

“This important and beneficial project, to be constructed in 2010, is good for the county, state and our country,” Verkleeren said.