Iberdrola again is eyeing Orleans
LAFARGEVILLE — They're back.
Iberdrola Renewables again has asked to erect meteorological towers in the town of Orleans.
The developer wants to put up two test towers, again to collect information for Horse Creek Wind Farm, said Iberdrola Communications Manager Paul N. Copleman by e-mail.
"We are unsure of what the Horse Creek boundary looks like at this time," he wrote. "That's why we are seeking to erect these two met towers, so we can gain a better understanding of the wind resource."
The 126-megawatt wind farm, originally planned for the southern part of Clayton and Orleans, failed in a request for a third extension from the Clayton Planning Board in June. The developer is planning to resubmit an application for the project, which was in the middle of the state environmental quality review.
One meteorological tower to measure wind speed would be at 36738 County Route 15, owned by David R. and Betty J. Lawton. That parcel is 122.4 acres and is rural residential with active farmland. The other would be on vacant farmland on County Route 181. The applicant for that 249.8-acre parcel was Barbara Thompson.
The wind power developer appeared for a preliminary meeting with the Planning Board on Tuesday night, Brad P. "Shookie" Millett, zoning officer for the town of Orleans, said Wednesday. The board will hold a public hearing on the towers at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at the town offices, 20558 Sunrise Ave.
The developer previously had a meteorological tower about a mile off Route 180 beginning in 2004.
Iberdrola ran a full-page advertisement with the state attorney general's Wind Industry Ethics Code in Tuesday's Times classifieds. Mr. Copleman said Iberdrola is required to run the ad before it puts up a meteorological tower in any community.
The company signed the code July 2009, agreeing to comply with the voluntary requirements.
The town's Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are working on a revised zoning law for wind turbines.
The town's current zoning law would not allow a wind farm outside of the overlay district, in the southwestern portion of the town. These two towers would be outside of that district.
In August and October, the town's wind committee finished recommendations for a more restrictive law that would increase noise requirements and setbacks. But the members suggested that the Town Council consider opening up the entire town instead of limiting development to one district.
In May, a second committee focused on economics submitted its recommendations to the boards.
