Wind Turbines Threaten to Shatter Serenity in Somerset

Wind Turbines Threaten to Shatter Serenity in Somerset, Pa., Area

By Kirk Swauger, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. -- Mar. 25

Three years ago, Robert and Ronna Clark retired to the tranquility of their remodeled A-frame home on King's Mountain.

They walk their dog on the tree-lined roads and swim in the small lake in the resort community in western Somerset County.

"We had had it with city living," said Mr. Clark, 69, a former U.S. treasury agent and subcontractor for the FBI in Pittsburgh.

In a lawsuit filed in county court, the Clarks and two other couples say giant wind turbines could shatter that serenity.

Along with the Clarks, residents Richard and Marsha Beahr and Susan Wilson and her husband, Scott Rodgers, are seeking a permanent injunction against King's Mountain Resort Inc. to stop proposed construction of seven windmills near the golf course.

The lawsuit alleges the wind turbines would violate restrictive covenants contained in deeds to the properties, which prohibit clear-cutting trees, building roads and using land for anything other than private homes. It also claims turbines would create excessive noise and potentially drastically lower the values of nearby homes.

The legal action comes as county commissioners consider toughened regulations for wind farms, including a 950- to 1,300-foot setback from neighboring homes. Commissioners are expected to enact the ordinance at their next meeting April 7.

Phil Herbert, manager of King's Mountain project, thinks the windmills will enhance the resort.

He said energy generated would be used to power a state-of-the-art sanitation system at the resort, a watering system for the golf course and lights for the roads. The rest would be sold to green-energy providers.

"It's an eco-friendly community," Herbert said in a telephone interview.

"This is a place where I want to live. Isn't that what mountain living is all about?"

Herbert declined to discuss specifics of the lawsuit, but maintained the issues have been addressed in the proposal.

He has said the wind turbines would have a 1,000-foot setback from neighboring homes.

"They're entitled to their day in court," Herbert said.

In the lawsuit, the residents point to stipulations in the deeds that require the lots to be used "only for private residential purposes," and ban homes or structures higher than 21?2 stories.

The deeds also prohibit "noxious and offensive" activities that could affect nearby home owners.

Mr. Clark said the wind turbines would be about three-quarters of a mile from his home, which he bought in 1990.

"My husband was telling someone not too long ago that he was absolutely amazed I feel in love with this place, being a city girl," Mrs. Clark said in a telephone interview. "But it's just so tranquil. To me, what they're doing is very depressing. For them to try to tell us this is going to improve our area is ridiculous."

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