Although councillors here long ago approved a wind turbine project northeast of Arthur, it has taken a long time to work out the details of the site plan agreement to remove holding provisions for the project.
On Monday night, Wellington North councillors authorized the execution of a site plan and development agreement for Arthur Wind Power Inc. Development and Schneider Power Inc. The site is located on Parts of Lot 2 and 3, Concession 2, in the former township of West Luther, north of a former railway land.
The agreement gives access and easement rights for the development and operation of a wind energy farm, including the installation of wind turbine generators with foundations and towers.
Mayor Mike Broomhead believes any concerns that were raised have been met.
“This has been a long time coming,” Broomhead said.
The bylaw for the site plan and development agreement passed without further discussion.
As for removing the holding provisions from the zoning, planner Mark Van Patter said there was simply a number of conditions that had to be met by the proponents.
“In my opinion, I’m satisfied those conditions have been met,” Van Patter said.
Broomhead said, “It is always toughest being the first to do anything in any community. I do credit the county and our staff for being very thorough.”
He said it has probably been frustrating at times for the proponents, but, “the province will soon be coming in, dictating a lot of stuff, and it’s going to be out of our control. You can see why, at a municipal level, we wanted to have a say, when we can see coming down the road we will have less and less say in wind energy projects.”
Broomhead said this is the final step in the process. He asked the proponents if they had deadlines or plans. Those have been awaiting council’s final approval of the project.
Earlier this year, when council gave the okay to the project, proponents had hoped to have turbines installed shortly; now they are simply hoping to have the foundations in place before winter.
Thomas Schneider said in terms of the guidelines coming from the province for a 550 metre setback, his proposal exceeds them.
“Here the setbacks are much further than that. They are about 700 to 800 metres.”
He said the companies were happy working with the municipality and agreed there was a process that needed to be done.
“We’re quite excited about this,” he said.
He anticipated the municipality would be getting a phone call regarding a building permit for the foundations the day after council.
“We’re running a little late. We’d been hoping to get started before fall started, but we’re going to try and at least get the foundations in before the end of December.”
He said the wind turbines have already been ordered. “They will be sitting in the port of Toronto for a bit until we get the site done. Otherwise, we’re good to go.”
Broomhead said Schneider Power has joined the Arthur Chamber of Commerce.
“They participate, and they’ve been good members. Part of the thing is that people have this fear of big business coming into your community – they come during the day and leave at night. It’s good to see the involvement in the community. We appreciate that.”
Bernd Schneider added that during the first presentation to council the company had stated, “We have to be here for the next 20 years with this wind farm. That’s why we try to work closely with the community, and we stand by our word.”
He added “I think it’s great to see this project now happening, and hopefully in spring next year, we have five turbines operating in Arthur.”
He said Arthur can then tell others it is a community with renewable energy.
“It will be great advertising for the community as well.”
