Winds of change

A number of Addison residents have expressed confusion over the change to the building code passed July 2, which now allows for residential wind energy systems of up to 115 feet high, in part as to the role of the planning board. With the growing number of towns looking at the same issues, I thought it would be helpful to explain.

As mentioned in several planning board meetings, a town hearing and at the special town meeting, the planning board took a unanimous position from the start that the recent proposal was a private initiative by one resident, and that when the interests of all Addison residents was evaluated the board felt that the current code was preferable. Wind turbines have always been permitted in Addison.

The existing code allowed for towers, houses and other structures of up to 50 feet. This is the height of the turbines in Ellsworth, for example, and seemed to fit the needs of the vast majority of people. The board suggested that one much easier approach was simply to raise all building height limits.

The board also emphasized that the proposal was going to limit the right of hundreds of Addison residents whose property size and shape would not fit within the new setback requirements.

There was no formal request by selectmen for the board to look at code changes. Nevertheless, the planning board has consistently supported wind energy, again noting that this was already available to residents.

Roger Yochelson, Chairman

Addison planning board