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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 17, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 4 of 23  <br />  <br />3. The 2013 draft ordinance may be a useful starting point for review. However, the Planning <br /> Commission should be open to taking into consideration viewpoints from the industry, property <br /> owners, and other regulatory agencies in crafting an ordinance that meets the City’s goals. <br /> <br />4. The Planning Commission should consider whether SWECS should be an allowed use in <br />commercial/industrial districts, and if so, whether they should be subject to different standards <br />than residential SWECS. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated the Planning Commission should review the informational materials to ensure all issues <br />and concerns are addressed and then suggest any changes to the 2013 draft ordinance they feel are <br />appropriate. Gaffron stated the Planning Commission may choose to table this item to allow for <br />additional consideration. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br /> <br />Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. <br /> <br />Peter Lanpher, 1380 Rest Point Road, stated they have 100 feet of lakeshore. Lanpher displayed a picture <br />of their property from the shoreline. Lanpher indicated they are the direct neighbors of an individual who <br />has installed four wind turbines on their property, with the three smaller ones currently being in operation. <br />Lanpher stated he is here tonight because he would like to show the Planning Commission the impact this <br />situation has had on their property and their lives. <br /> <br />Lanpher indicated he has a series of short videos which he will show. Lanpher noted he has given <br />presentations at other planning commissions in other cities so they could have some insight for their <br />policies. <br /> <br />Lanpher stated the first video shows the large turbine not spinning but the roof-mounted turbine spinning. <br /> <br />Landgraver asked if the sound on the video is the wind or the turbine. <br /> <br />Lanpher stated that is probably the wind and not the turbine. Lanpher pointed out the wind turbine that is <br />located 18 inches from their property line down at the shoreline. Lanpher stated there is already an <br />ordinance in place prohibiting structures within the 0-75 foot zone and that the larger turbine is within the <br />0-75 foot zone as well as one of the smaller generators. <br /> <br />Lanpher stated the next video shows the shadows that the wind turbines cause in their house as well as the <br />glare off of the wind turbine. Lanpher stated they have been dealing with that for over four years. <br /> <br />Lanpher stated the next video shows the 30-foot turbine and the shadow it creates. The shadow extends <br />across his property over to the opposite neighbor’s fence. Our concern is the impact that these have over <br />a longer distance. While the City is looking at a 300-foot setback, that may need to be examined, that <br />depending on location and how the sun sets the shadow may extend more than 300 feet. Even if the <br />blades are painted black, there will be a shadow. <br /> <br />The next video shows the same 30-foot turbine and the impact it has on the inside of the home. Lanpher <br />noted the shadows and glare does not happen all year long but happens at specific times during the year. <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/20/2015 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes <br />[Page 4 of 23]