The Road To A New Wind Energy Ordinance Begins

North Kingstown’s newest wind energy ordinance will have a very short reign as the North Kingstown Town Council instructed the town solicitor and planner to craft a new one last night.

The move comes on the heels of Council President Elizabeth Dolan’s announcement that she planned to make the request following to the ordinance, . North Kingstown is in the midst of a six-month moratorium on wind turbines, also in response to the outcry, which is set to expire July 10.

“I’m hoping we can have something new in place so we won’t have to extend the ,” said Dolan.

The town solicitor and Town Planning Director Jon Reiner will look to amend the ordinance to address the placement of turbines in residential areas, notice to abutters, noise, height and other factors that have come under scrutiny from residents. The town solicitor anticipates having those revisions "in a few weeks."

Dolan reassures residents there will be sufficient opportunity for public input during the process to revise the amendment. Last week, ordinance as a basis.  

Last fall, the Planning Commission approved a 427-foot turbine to be erected later this year in North Kingstown Greens, a subdivision off Ten Rod Road. The commission is facing another turbine, 389 feet tall, at Stamp Farm on South County Trail near Schartner Farm.