Gamesa changes plan for Logan wind farm

The company that pursued building wind turbines in Logan Township has a new plan with taller versions that are confined to the township's wind zone.

Representatives for Gamesa Energy recently submitted revised plans for a wind farm of 19 turbines in the Chestnut Flats area zoned for that type of land use. The company previously proposed building 25 wind turbines, with 17 inside the zone and eight outside.

"We hope this is a little more palatable to the township," Gamesa Energy representative Jon Baker said.

Township Manager Bonnie Lewis said Friday that plans and a request for the Chestnut Flats LLC Wind Farm will probably be on the supervisors' May 14 meeting agenda.

They're asking for the township to revise its ordinance to permit taller turbines, so that will go before the supervisors, Lewis said.

Currently, the township ordinance restricts wind turbines to 270 feet, as measured from the ground to the height of the tower. Gamesa's latest proposal shows towers measuring up to 328 feet high.

In addition to the tower, wind turbine blades typically measure 120 feet.

If supervisors approve the request, Logan Township could have wind turbines measuring up to 428 feet from the ground to the tip of the blade. That's the height of a 40-plus story building, based on one story averaging 10 to 11 feet.

Supervisors in January seemed ready to turn down the previous plans which Gamesa representatives withdrew. Supervisors told Project Manager Tim Vought they preferred keeping wind turbines inside the township wind zone. As designated, the zone makes up 10 square miles, about 20 percent of township's land.

The Blair County Planning Commission met Thursday night and reviewed Gamesa's latest plan. After seeing that it keeps the turbines inside the township wind zone, the commission agreed that the project is consistent with land use plans adopted by the township and, thus, by the county.

"Our comprehensive plan doesn't address windmills but defers to Logan Township ... and this area is in their wind zone," Assistant Planning Director Craig Soyster said.

As for the height, 58 feet taller than permitted by township ordinance, Soyster said that's an issue for the township.

Planning commission member Bob Gutshall asked if the taller wind turbines would affect wind currents. Baker said they wouldn't because the turbines are capturing only a small portion of the wind flow.

The commission also asked about noise and flicker, and Baker said there's "no substantive difference" linked to the taller wind turbines.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.