The minimum distance from a house off the location of a wind turbine is 300 meters. Turbines could be 250 meters away from a house where the homeowners are leasing the land to the wind developer.
Wind Prospect Inc. (Wind Prospect) is planning six wind turbines between Roads 8 and 9 in its Arner Green wind farm. The turbines will be four kilometers west of Cottam.
Wind Prospect estimates the wind turbines will generate sufficient power for around 3,000 homes.
“If you protect woodlots… why aren’t you protecting people” asked Counselor Tamara Stomp who was opposed to the renewable energy and wind farm resolutions.
Stomp said more studies on health effects are needed and the setbacks from homes should be larger.
“I’ve got some very serious problems with this still,” Stomp said.
In the five-one votes, Stomp was the only councilor opposed. Councilor Brad Stevenson declared a conflict of interest.
Councilor Gord Queen said that while residents in the south do not seem to want turbines, the majority of people in the northern end of Kingsville do want them.
Gord said council still has a say over wind projects due to holding designation will not be removed until a location plan agreement is in place.
A few residents raised concerns about potential health effects and lawsuits.
Kingsville planner Danielle Truax said the majority of land in the former Gosfield North is an area where large scale energy projects would be allowed under the County of Essex official plan amendment.
Part of what council agreed was adopting policies that the county of Essex has already placed for renewable energy projects.
Kingsville also placed in specific provisions for wind turbines including setbacks.
The Arner Green wind farm is proposing to put the turbines at least 500 meters from homes.
The former Gosfield South was not included in Kingsville’s policies. It was described as a more sensitive region that includes the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary. Council would consider a proposal for renewable energy there if it came up.
