Packer asks for turbine height indicators

The Packer Township Zoning Hearing Board asked a power company to place test balloons on the sites of the site of a proposed windmill farm atop of the Broad Mountain.

The board, during the third hearing Wednesday, wants to show the height of the proposed windmills.

Members also asked for a simulation of the shadow flickering that could take place during summer and winter, as seen from the intersection of Quakake and Spring Mountain Roads.

The request for the balloons led to a discussion, with the attorneys representing Broad Mountain Power pointing out that balloons drift.

Attorney Greg Mousseau, speaking for the zoning hearing board, explained the board is trying to determine a “field of view” for the entire project. They are hoping for a “panoramic view,” versus the simulated photos provides so far, to show “the visual impact to existing homes.”

Mousseau added, “We (also) believe some of the sites will be visible from Nesquehoning and Rush Township.”

It was suggested that perhaps four or five balloons, tethered to steel cables to limit drift, could serve. Board member Barbara Genetti disagreed, seeking balloons at all 26 sites.

The meetings have been running long. Mousseau polled the crowd through a show of hands, determining that the meeting should not start earlier than 6 p.m., but could run to 9 in order to make better use of the time it takes to bring everyone together.

This night, Benjamin Doyle of Capitol Airspace Group of Alexandria, Virginia, testified about the effects of the turbines on two private airfields in Packer, and also about the turbines’ impact on other air traffic.

Doyle was there because electrical engineer Dennis Jimeno, who had been on the stand, was unable to attend.

Doyle answered a variety of questions, with many directed at six of the turbines which would be over a mile from the Grover private airfield.

Details were presented on the effect of turbines to air traffic, and about the process which includes Federal Aviation Administration determinations.

This led to at least one testy exchange between attorney Bruce Anders, who is representing about 200 people opposed to the project, and Doyle.

A discussion of the MedEvac helicopter’s routes led to an outburst from the audience, quickly silenced by Mousseau.

As Doyle’s testimony wound down, Mousseau took questions from the audience.

Residents asked why they were unaware of the FAA’s comment period, which has now passed.

It was explained that the agency reaches out to the aeronautical community. Letters are still being accepted with “a valid aeronautical basis.”

Nearly 100 people attended, including the developer’s team. This was the lightest attendance so far. Attendees are primarily Packer Township homeowners. This meeting attracted over a dozen citizens from Nesquehoning.

A few people also attended from Penn Forest Township, who came to show support for those opposing the proposal, as that township is also the site of a proposed wind farm.

Broad Mountain Power, a subsidiary of Liberty Power Company and Algonquin Power of Toronto, Canada, proposes to erect 21 wind turbines on the ridge including 16 whose blade tip-to-base height would be 656 feet, and five others at 452 feet. The project would be entirely on private property owned by Kovatch Inc. and Hazleton Electric Co.

Hearing dates have been set through the end of June. The next hearing will be May 29, followed by June 12, 18, 24 and 27, all at 6 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria in Weatherly.