What A Difference A Year Makes

Wind turbines were once again the topic of conversation at this month’s North Kingstown Town Council meeting. As council members reviewed a proposed rewrite of the current wind energy ordinance — an ordinance that has come under — conversation shifted.

Council members began questioning restrictions suggested in the new draft, which would only allow turbines on industrial-zoned properties and setbacks or more than five times the height of the turbine. According to Planning Director Jon Reiner, there would only be “two or three” locations in town that could accommodate the setback requirements in the ordinance.

“Why not just ban [wind turbines] and see what happens?,” said Council President Elizabeth Dolan at the meeting regarding statewide planning's wind energy findings expected in the next year or so.

Then, in an unanticipated move, the council unanimously voted to have the Planning Department draft a new wind ordinance and amend zoning ordinances, resulting in a ban of all wind turbines in North Kingstown.

“I was shocked, absolutely shocked,” said Jeff Zucchi, who heads the resident-driven group No Residential Wind NK in opposition of installing turbines in North Kingstown’s residential areas. “I sat there with my jaw open, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I thought someone was setting us up for a prank.”

Council members suggested prohibiting turbines in town for one year to 18 months until statewide planning completes its studies on wind energy feasibility.

“We thought when we passed the ordinance Sept. 27, we would be proactive and support renewable energy,” said Dolan. “That’s the way we wanted to go. Now we’ve done a 180.”

So how did North Kingstown pull a 180? In anticipation of Aug. 15’s public hearing regarding the prohibition of all wind turbines, we’ve put together a timeline of the past year’s events.

• Sept. 27, 2010  . The ordinance eliminated a restriction on the height of a turbine and lengthened the setback to equal the height of the nacelle of a turbine (from the base to the top of the tower, excluding the blades). The ordinance also eliminates the need for an applicant to receive a special use permit from the zoning board to “streamline” the process, according to Planning Director Jon Reiner. Of the ordinance, Dolan stated, “It may not be perfect, but we can always go back and fix things as we learn.”
• Oct. 5, 2010 The 427-foot turbine will (literally) be constructed in the backyard of Mark DePasquale, CEO of developer Wind Energy Development.
• December 2010  Residents begin to form in opposition to the reapplication for another 427-foot turbine; this one is proposed for Stamp Farm. Initially, the North Kingstown Zoning Board shot down the application due to the turbine’s “excessive” size.
• Jan. 4, 2011  . “This is a first for me,” said Planning Commission Chair Richard Pastore. “I’ve never had more than 50 people at a meeting.” Eighteen residents spoke at the meeting while a few audience members yelled out at commission members and speakers testifying on behalf of the applicant.
• Jan. 11, 2011 on construction of turbines 50 feet or taller and decide to reevaluate the current wind energy ordinance. “We need to get this right,” said councilman Charles Brennan. “This is too important to not get right.”
• ·Jan. 28, 2011 Council President Liz Dolan, Town Manager Michael Embury, Planning Director Jon Reiner and town solicitors formally request the General Assembly .
• Feb. 2, 2011  .
• Apr. 8, 2011 , a subdivision and would-be home to a 427-foot turbine, halting construction.
• May 2011 against seven neighbors in the North Kingstown Green subdivision who had not recorded deeds needed to reinstate the subdivision’s building permit.
• June 4 2011 Sixteen signs put up by No Residential Wind NK are regarding the Stamp Farm turbine.
• June 7, 2011 In a 5-1 vote, , citing it had undergone “significant change” and thus made it a new application.
• June 15, 2011 . Town consultants found the Vestas V100 (the intended turbine model for the site) would not meet the required noise levels stipulated in the town’s ordinance. If a new turbine model is chose, the Wind Energy Development would be forced to reapply and thus fall under the moratorium.
• June 27, 2011 .
• ·July 11, 2011 The town council votes 5-0 to consider prohibiting all turbines in North Kingstown for one year to 18 months.