Planning Board Approves Wind Turbine Application

Robert Burke is one step closer to having a wind turbine operating on his property.

The Planning Board unanimously approved Burke’s long-standing application with the township at a meeting Monday. The approval is part of a settlement agreement with the town to have the 50-foot tall turbine installed on the property.

Representatives for the town and Burke met for a on the matter in federal court in September.

The town must also approve the agreement before the turbine can be installed.

Burke said he remains “cautiously optimistic” that the turbine will be installed.

“The proposal was a compromise intended to satisfy all parties,” Burke said.

Burke declined further comment.

The agreement marks the beginning of the end of a four-year long process to install the turbine.

Burke applied in 2007 to install a 43-foot tall wind turbine with 6-foot long blades to generate electricity for his business on Hamburg Turnpike.

The Planning Board denied Burke’s application in October of 2008 citing a lack of expert testimony and concerns about safety and noise.

As part of the agreement, the wind turbine will not have the blades on it. Instead, a bladeless version, which is designed to be much quieter than ones with blades, will be installed.

The town council approved an ordinance in December 2009 permitting wind turbines to be installed in industrial areas in the township but not at the Wayne Auto Spa.