Urgent Mill Pond Update | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Stan:

    Sorry to have to send out another Mill Pond update already, but there is a major development that you should be aware of.

    Please read today's CNT's good headline new story about Friday's Community Forum meeting.

    In reference to a concern brought up at that meeting, the reporter did a followup with the County Planing director, Mr. Jim Jennings. His answer confirmed two disturbing matters (see exact text below):

    1) that the wind developer is already negotiating with the County about waivers to their Ordinance, and

    2) that, as presently written, such waivers can be granted by other boards (e.g. County Planning Board of Adjustment).

    My 2¢:

     -  It's hard to understand why anyone in the County would be having any discussions regarding a project where there is no application submitted. This could only happen with the approval and blessing of a top county official.

     -  It is totally unacceptable that anyone other than the Commissioners should have the authority to grant any waivers from the County's Tall Structure Ordinance. This needs to be fixed in the update, This current major deficiency is yet another reason why the update needs to be done immediately.

    We are calling on the commissioners to hold a meeting on this matter, this week. They have in their possession all the changes that need to be made. (See Bullet Points. Additionally, a line-by-line markup of the existing bill was also sent to Commissioners and Planners.)

    These changes need to be incorporated and approved this month.

    Plan B: If for some reason that is not possible, then we ask that the Commissioners immediately pass a 60+day wind energy moratorium (not accepting any application, notice of intent, etc.).

    Time is of the essence here!

    Since this project is a direct threat to Cherry Point, local tourism and more, there should be no more important item on the Commissioners' agenda than fixing the County's Tall Structure Ordinance.


    John Droz, jr.
      physicist & environmental advocate


    As reported in the CNT story  - 

    "Mr. Droz said he reached out to Mr. Jennings and the planning department with concerns on the project, specifically that Torch was already discussing gaining possible variances to the ordinance and hadn't heard back."

    "Mr. Jennings said the department would respond to public concerns from Mr. Droz and others and confirmed that Torch has already indicated intentions to request variances to shorten setbacks for several towers proposed near Mill Creek Road."

    "As the ordinance is currently written, any variances would be assessed and issued or denied by the County Planning Board of Adjustment."

    "We need to make wind facilities a special, conditional-use permits so commissioners grant waivers themselves," said Mr. Droz. "Hold them accountable to the voters and we can avoid subterfuge by someone else."