Published: September 07, 2008 12:19 am      

No point changing wind turbine rules, planner says

Commission meets Monday; Dan’s Rock project edges forward

CUMBERLAND — John Bambacus thinks now is the time to have wind turbine regulations in place in Allegany County “rather than react after the fact.”

County Planning Commission member Bill Davis, however, sees no point in modifying the admittedly loose industrial wind turbine regulations currently on the books. Discussion around the two opposite positions could make some headway on Monday at the commission’s work session at 3 p.m. at the County Office Complex.

The county is in the process of modifying its definitions and considering other modifications to the zoning code regarding industrial wind energy conversion systems and wind turbines for residential and agricultural uses.

Bambacus, of Frostburg, has expressed to commission members in previous meetings that the type of activity now being pursued by Dans Mountain Wind Force LLC near Dan’s Rock could be hurried to completion before any new, tighter restrictions are implemented. Not all of that area’s property owners have signed on to the wind company’s project. One adjacent property owner has seen workers boring test holes for the proposed 25-turbine project only 266 feet from his property line.

Bambacus requested in June the planning commission recommend to the county commissioners a six-month moratorium on the issuance of siting and grading permits related to wind turbines. The planning commission denied to endorse the request.

Davis, who is pro-wind turbines, said Wednesday that he didn’t know why the commission visited the issue because “as of this point, (companies) can go ahead and build them now.”

At the same time, nearby property owners “should be concerned,” Davis said. “Most neighbors (appear to be) in favor of them. Maybe they’re a firm believer, like I am, that we need to do something to get some kind of (alternative) energy. Less than 1 percent of our energy is coming from windmills. Something’s got to be done.”

He said those who are against wind projects should attend meetings of the planning commission and the county commissioners.

“It’s not too late” to voice those concerns, Davis said, “but it may be too late to stop (the Dan’s Rock project). Who knows? Look at Terrapin Run, for example. You can stop a lot of projects if you really want to do it. You just have to be very aggressive.”

The commission also is to be addressed by John Cullen, chief operating officer of the Thomas B. Finan Center. Cullen has asked the county for a change in use for an assisted-living facility.

County Planning Coordinator Phil Hager said local attorney Matt Brewer will approach the county on behalf of his client who wants to rezone the mixed-use Miller Bottom Industrial Park. The park is located along state Route 36 between Frostburg and Midland. The owner wants the property zoned industrial.

The county has received a number of complaints about animated signage, which “has been an issue that’s been brewing for some time,” Hager said.

Countywide signage regulations are different from what the old LaVale Zoning Board had implemented and “just about every complaint has been within the LaVale (comprehensive) planning area,” Hager said.

Hager said the county needs to strike a balance between residents’ “legitimate concerns” of flashing lights and motorists’ fears of the signs being a distraction to drivers with a business’ right to promote its interest.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.