Plymouth’s town by-law states the height restriction of a wind turbine is 350 feet, however approved turbine applicant Future Generation Wind may be able to install larger structures.
Wednesday night, Future Generation Wind asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to modify the language in their special permit to include a public hearing if a requested turbine exceeds limitations.
ZBA member Michael Main fought off Plymouth residents concerns that the modification would open the door to larger and noisier turbines, “Where does that say they can get any bigger? Where does it say it can get any noisier? Where does it say it can get anything but what is specified here? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Attorney Christopher Senie represented two residents opposed to the project and explained that the height of the wind turbines should have been assigned when they were approved, “Why are we layering public hearings? Now all we’re doing is saying ‘okay we won’t quantify it at informal hearing, we’ll quantify if it at a next public hearing.’ But that’s a total of three public hearings over a long time and we still don’t know how big that diameter is going to be.”
Future Generation explained they proposed the modification because the wind industry is constantly upgrading.
The Plymouth ZBA unanimously approved Future Generation Wind’s modification proposal. Height parameters have not been finalized for the three approved wind turbines.