ARVON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
February 6, 2019
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting brought to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL AND RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: Bette Gabe, Chairperson; Keith Erickson,
Township Board Representative; Dorothy Nankervis, Trustee, Jay Loman, Trustee, Mary Deline, Trustee, Linnea Barron, Secretary. There were 20 visitors, sign up sheet with names is attached with minutes.
PRESENTATION BY BURT MASON, FRIENDS OF THE HURON MOUNTAINS: Burt Mason
presented a 3-D visual view shed (created in conjunction with Michigan Tech) of large wind turbines if they are erected in L’Anse Township. The view shed made it clearer how visible the turbines would be from any proposed location in Baraga County as noted on a map of Baraga County. Burt addressed several questions from those attending. The feeling from those present was that this was very informative.
Burt also brought a scale model of a proposed wind turbine in comparison to the surrounding trees, buildings, and people.
PUBLIC COMMENT/QUESTIONS: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Utility wind turbines – proposed amendments discussion;
wording of and placement in zoning ordinance text.
- Height not to exceed 300 feet from tip of blade at its highest point. Discussion to add to description on page 50, page 80 and page 88 of the Ordinance.
- Require a minimum distance of 5-7 miles from shorelines landward of Lake Superior and Huron Bay. Motion made at January 9, 2019, meeting for 7 miles. This would be added to page 84, property setback, #2, under e.
- Require a combination of built-in fire detection system and fire suppression system for each turbine. This would be added to page 84 under safety as a separate sentence.
- Require spacing of utility turbines be at least ½ to 2 miles apart from one another, or use some other measurement? After discussion Mary made a motion and Jay seconded to have the distance be 1 mile between wind turbines, all approved, motion carried. This would be stated also on page 84, property setback, #2, under f.
- Require “feathering” of blades? Discussion of why this was necessary for protection of bats who fly at night. Feathering means the blades would be twisted (angled) from dusk to dawn for more protection of the bats. Motion made
by Jay and seconded by Keith to add this into the Ordinance. This would be on page 86, H, #2, Avian and Wildlife Impact, letter a added.
- Also on page 84, under Safety, a correction was necessary from 20 feet to 75 feet in reference to the minimum blade tip clearance from grade. (An oversight)
- There are changes in the ordinance to clarify Utility Buildings. The zoning administrator should have authority over these and not the planning commission as stated in our zoning book. Corrections to pages 45, 48, 51, 53, 55, and 57.
- On page 118 in our Ordinance, Article XVII-Administration, Section 1700, should read The provisions of this ordinance….appointed by the Township Board; not Planning Commission. Motion changed this.
NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING DATE – April 10, 2019
ADJOURNMENT: Jay made a motion to dismiss, seconded by Dorothy, all approved. Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
Submitted by Linnea Barron, Secretary