County Planning Board shifts Thursday’s meeting to larger venue

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Board will consider Yates moratorium, updated law on wind turbines

CARLTON – The Orleans County Planning Board is expecting a big crowd Thursday for its meeting when it will consider two proposals from the Town of Yates on wind energy conversion systems.

The town is proposing a six-month moratorium on wind energy projects, and the town also wants to update its local law for turbines. Yates and the neighboring Town of Somerset are eyed for 70 wind turbines that would peak at 620 feet. Somerset also has pushed to update its local law for wind energy facilities.

The Town of Yates on Thursday held a public hearing that lasted three hours on the proposed moratorium and changes in the local law.

The County Planning Board usually meets at the County Administration Building on Route 31 in Albion. But this Thursday’s meeting will be at the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

The County Planning Board makes referrals to the towns and villages, decisions that can be overridden with a one-plus-majority vote.

Other issues on the Planning Board agenda on Thursday include:

A request in Clarendon for a special use permit to operate home occupation (firearm sales) at 4257 Hindsburg Rd. in Residential/Agricultural District.

A request for an area variance and site plan review in the Village of Albion for installation of Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) and freestanding sign at 151 S. Main St. in General Commercial District.

A request from the Village of Albion, Village of Holley and Town of Murray for an amendment to their zoning ordinances to allow a six-month moratorium on mobile home construction outside of mobile home parks.