Pasadena Man Seeking Backyard Wind Power
Sep 22 - Capital (Annapolis)
A Pasadena man is seeking permission to put two wind turbines on his
property near Downs Memorial Park, apparently the first such request to come
before the county.
Richard Hawse and his wife, Mary, are not only requesting a zoning variance
next week to allow structures taller than 25 feet on his 4-acre property
close to Bodkin Point. He's also working with the County Council to draft
legislation that would allow other homeowners to do the same thing.
"There's no cost advantage for me to do this. It's for the betterment of the
community," Mr. Hawse said.
Councilman Ron Dillon, R-Pasadena, said Mr. Hawse approached his office
several months ago, looking for the county to establish guidelines on
windmills.
Mr. Dillon said he's planning to introduce legislation next month that would
permit turbines on private property. The legislation would address property
line setbacks and other requirements to protect neighbors. He said Frederick
County is crafting a similar statute.
"We truly do need to take a look at alternate energy sources," Mr. Dillon
said. "(The Hawses) are the first ones who have come to us about it."
The debate over wind energy has picked up speed in the past few years as oil
prices have soared.
Advocates point to turbines as a practical way of producing clean, renewable
energy. The wind turns a turbine's blades, which spin a shaft that connects
to a generator and makes electricity.
Opponents, on the other hand, complain turbines spoil the landscape,
generate irritating shadow flicker and noise and can kill birds. Skeptics
also argue that turbines pose a danger to bats, whose sonar can't detect the
moving blades at night.
Mr. Hawse said those people are misinformed.
"I think it's just a matter of change," he said. "For every opponent (of
turbines), there's a proponent."
The Hawses will appear Tuesday before Administrative Hearing Officer Stephen
LeGendre in Annapolis.
Officials from the Office of Planning and Zoning were unavailable for
comment Friday, but both Mr. Hawse and Mr. Dillon believe this would be the
first residential turbine in the county if approved.
Mr. LeGendre said another county resident applied for a variance for
turbines several months ago, but withdrew the application before a hearing
was scheduled.
He said applying for a variance for turbines is just like applying for a
variance for anything else. Among other things, Mr. Hawse will have to prove
that there will be no adverse impact on neighbors and the structures won't
change the character of the neighborhood.
Turbines have been a hot topic in western Maryland, where wind energy
companies wanted to erect 400-foot-tall wind turbines atop state-owned rural
ridges. After loud outcry from Garrett County residents, Gov. Martin
O'Malley this spring said he would not allow turbines on state forest land.
Wind power companies also are contemplating offshore turbines near Ocean
City.
Talk of turbines in Anne Arundel County has been largely absent until
recently. Last week, Del. Ron George, R-Arnold, and Annapolis- based Alpha
Energy said they are preparing a $30 million to $40 million proposal for six
to 10 wind turbines near the existing radio towers on Greenbury Point.
That site could generate enough electricity to power 3,000 to 6,000 homes,
according to projections for the project. Data from the U.S. Department of
Energy show the site is the only place on the Chesapeake Bay corridor,
outside of its mouth, with enough wind speed to make such a project viable.
Mr. Hawse said he's not sure how high his turbines would be, but he believes
they would cost about $11,000 each to erect. He hasn't settled on a design.
"Most of Anne Arundel County doesn't have enough wind for turbines. But on
the shoreline, we do," he said.
Mr. Hawse said his property is large and wooded enough that shadow flicker
will not bother his neighbors. If Mr. LeGendre grants the variance, the
turbines will be behind the Hawses' home, which he said can't be seen from
the road.
The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the County Council Chambers,
on the first floor of the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert St. in Annapolis.
{Corrections:} {Status:}
TURBINE REQUEST A FIRST, COULD LEAD TO OTHERS
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