BRSA Obtains Key Parcel of Land For Wind Turbine, Says Attorney
Controversial wind turbine project progresses.
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The Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority says it now owns a key parcel of land in Union Beach it needs to accommodate the 380-foot tall turbine's rotating blades.
BRSA attorney Louis E. Granata, of Granata & Zaccardi, Matawan, said at a meeting Monday night that a 10,000-square foot parcel of land owned by JCP&L was obtained through condemnation, and it is now owned by the BRSA. The land was needed because the turbine's 118-foot long turning blades will extend past the authority's property line.
“It’s all done,” said Louis Granata, counsel for the BRSA, at the meeting. Asked by member David Cohen if the “distinction” of residential or industrial use applies anymore, Granata said, “It makes no difference.”
Obtaining rights to the land was important to the authority, which wishes to employ the industrial turbine to help lower energy costs for its ratepayers in the eight towns it services, including Holmdel. In April, the commissioners passed a resolution after closed session to authorize their attorney to condemn the property to comply with Coastal Areas Facility Review Act permit requirements. (See minutes of their meeting here.)
Previously the Union Beach Planning Board denied the authority's request to rezone the JCP&L property from residential to industrial use. The BRSA argued that there was an error in the zoning map and that it should have been an industrial zone, not a residential one.
The authority is now in the process of seeking a Special Use permit from the county to allow the biggest parts of the wind turbine to be transported on county roads. The parts are being transported from Tennessee.
The industrial wind turbine planned for the northeast corner of the BRSA property, just 1080 feet from a residential neighborhood, has caused outcry residents and environmentalists fearing negative health effects and loss of property value. Holmdel Township Committee members recently passed a resolution stating they do not support construction of the wind turbine.
The BRSA services Holmdel, Hazlet, Union Beach, Matawan, Aberdeen, Keyport, Keansburg, and parts of Marlboro.
Bart Sutton
7:57 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
As usual the hubris of the BRSA shines through. The savings they try and tout are non existent, as was proven by the John Muir Trust in Scotland, where it is much windier than here. http://rmschneider.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/john-muir-trust-study-reports-wind-farms-at-22-efficiency/ Considering the actual cost to operate a wind turbine (it takes its power from the grid) they will be operating at a deficit. Then there is the FACT that they are trying to get around a long standing ordinance. I think we all agree, we know of another instance where folks said a law was a mistake. I believe it was called the Volstead Act. They were right, and how is that remedied? The law, or in this case, the zoning ordinance, would have to be rewritten and passed by the town council. (Not a likely conclusion) or possibly our governor will push to further decimate home rule. (More Likely) I find it odd that a lawyer would actually say they would ignore the law because it was a mistake, but that is the perfect picture of the BRSA and their counsel. But what no one wants to own up to is the FACT that property values will plummet by 25 to 40 %. http://amherstislandwindinfo.com/mccann-hoen-review-total.pdf
But as usual every study by the wind industry and their proponents don't include the fact that most properties are unsalable, which by definition makes those properties worthless.
Anita D.
12:42 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
There they go again, Grand Nada and the BRSA Boys putting the cart before the horse. They still don't have all their permits in place, including road permits to truck in extra wide loads weighing as much as 84 tons on 4 ton roads. Also, the half acre they condemned is still subject to use variances. And the whole thing is still in appeals and facing further legal hurtdes. The arrogance of these people!
Bill Heller
3:09 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
As Yogi Bera said, "It ain't over till it's over." The court case is still very much alive, no matter what Granata says. I'm sure he's offering up the same bluster to Holmdel's attorneys and town officials over all the sewer issues going on. With the BRSA "You can observe a lot just by watching" and you have to "Take it with a grin of salt."
Milton R.
10:37 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
If the turbine comes in on budget (it won't) and produces the power the BRSA claims, the savings per ratepayer will be $18 per year. BIG WOOP! And with Coligas saying in a video posted to the Patch a few months ago that GE was making them shut the turbine down when the temps drop below freezing, that $18 savings will turn into higher sewer rates. Plus there's no money in their budget for remediation after 20 years, it will become and industrial rusting hulk. Worst of all, with Union Beach, Hazlet, Keyport, Holmdel, Monmouth County, The Bayshore Regional Watershed Council and the Hazlet Area Quality of Life Alliance all passing resolutions opposing this monstrocity - and with Union Beach putting up a legal fight against it since 11/2009 - the BRSA had to resort to eminent domain to get their 1/2 acre of hell when JCP&L backed out of the deal. Add to that the fact that Frank Wells and Kathleen Parsells voted to sue their own town too try to shut them up (a First Amendment travesty), and the commisioners and Robber Fischer have no ethics whatsoever. Frank Wells...Boss Wells to his "fans"...came up with the idea in the first place...or so the legend goes. His legacy is now what the inflow consists of.
Marco Oldhafer
6:21 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
We live in a crazy place this BSRA does whatever they want and get away with it! They have no right to force this turbine onto the people and their homes! What other god like entity gave them the right to the property that is green acres. Nothing is sacred, nothing will be better then to go to one of their arrogant meetings when it all goes wrong for them. Let's make it happen :)