A petition voicing concers to Schneider Power’s wind farm near Arthur failed to generate any wind at Wellington North council.
On March 8, council discussed a petition from 20 area residents. Some are neighboring property owners, while others are residents of Arthur. The petition was about concerns about a project on Lots 2 and 3 on Line 2.
“We submit that the location of this project, less than a kilometer from in excess of 2,000 people, is very poorly thought out in light of recent articles in the local press relating to individuals living in close proximity to wind turbines and the resulting negative health effects some have experienced,” the petition stated.
“These potential negative effects on human health are our greatest concern. Some of these effects include headaches, heart palpitations, hearing problems, stress, anxiety and depression.
“We believe that since such noted authorities as Dr. Haze1 Lynn, the Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, and Dr. Robert McMurty, the former Dean of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, are advocating a moratorium on the building of these turbines until a comprehensive study can be conducted on their effect on human health, that this municipality should err on the side of caution and adopt this viewpoint as well.”
Petitioners were concerned about potential noise pollution from the wind turbines and the resulting aggravation and loss of enjoyment of property that may cause.
“Due to the large size of these units (85 meters at the hub), and the company’s reported sound emission of 101 to 105 decibels at the base, it is evident they are at the upper end of the allowed sound level in order to be located at a minimum of 550 meters from a residence.
“A turbine with a sound power level of 106 decibels or greater requires a setback of 950 meters from the nearest receptor and we believe that should be the requirement in this case.”
Further, they do not agree with the proposed location of the units, 162 meters from Sideroad 3, which they contend is too close to the property line and roadway, and as a result, compromises future severance plans for adjacent landowners.
“Another serious concern is the resulting depreciation of property values for those property owners surrounding the project. There is no doubt that this will happen; the only unknown is by how much will we see our hard earned equity taken away from us through no fault of our own.”
While the petitioners acknowledge that public meetings were held in regard to the project, and ideally, would have been the preferred forum to address their concerns, their argument is that much of the information and many of the concerns have surfaced only recently.
“In closing, we as taxpaying residents of this township, are requesting that we receive the same support as those faced with this same issue in surrounding municipalities such as the Township of Mapleton and West Grey, both of which have pledged to support their concerned residents and are requesting the province to place a moratorium on wind turbine development.”
Council reaction
Mayor Mike Broomhead found the petition interesting, mainly because it was a long process before council approved the project.
“We went through the public process, the public hearings, and various meetings. The building permit has been issued.”
However, he did believe a letter should be sent to the people who sent in the petition, outlining what was done.
Councillor John Matusinec said a lot of the people who did sign the petition have been in contact with him and voiced their concerns.
He noted the work of the economic development committee which had delayed the process for some time trying to get the standards in place to protect the community and not to cause anyone aggravation.
“We thought we had done that. Now there are new findings coming out.”
He cited the coverage in the Wellington Advertiser regarding a proposal in the Belwood area and the discussions in Mapleton. He said residents are appealing to their local councils to convince the province to put a halt on these projects until the findings can be researched.
Councils were ordered by the province to set guidelines for wind turbines. After many completed that work, premier Dalton McGuinty unilaterally announced the province was taking that authority upon itself, through the Ministry of Environment.
Matusinec explained the permit for the turbines had been issued, and they chose to circulate a petition to make council aware of concerns.
Broomhead said part of the issue is, “When we were dealing with Schneider on setbacks and different things … we had a say. The province has taken a lot of that say away.”
As to supporting Mapleton’s bid asking for a moratorium on future wind turbine developments, council had already done that in January.
Broomhead said one of the reasons for that support was a result of the province taking away municipal control.
He said residents are encouraged to come to council to speak about it more.
Matusinec said if the findings of studies are substantiated, it could create more problems for the municipality.
Broomhead contended there is a misunderstanding regarding the moratorium discussion.
He said people tend to think the local municipality is putting the moratorium in place. In fact, municipalities are simply requesting that the province put it in place.
“It’s not actually Wellington North that is putting the moratorium in place, or Mapleton,” he said. “It is lobbying municipalities to ask the province to put it in place. We already have a motion on the books to that effect.”
