Charlestown Town Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow two 492 foot tall Wind Turbines along Rt. 1

The Zoning Ordinance was amended on January 11, 2010

You expressed your opinion - Here are the results of our Wind Survey

Wind Ordinance

The Town Council directed the Town Planner to write a Zoning Ordinance Amendment for wind which gives them sole responsibility for approving the two turbines. Members of the Town Council worked in consultation with the developer and the Planner to create an ordinance that would work for the needs of the developer.

The Planning Commission did not write the ordinance but they were allowed to comment. Here is a link to their advisory. The Planning Commission based their advisory in part on the siting guidelines developed by DEM.

Now that the ordinance is in place the developer has proposed a partnership agreement with the town. Highlights of the agreement are:

  • turbines will be 1.5 to 2.5 megawatts to be decided by the developer not the town
  • the agreement is for 20 years
  • taxes will be frozen at the present assessed value of land plus turbines for 20 years
  • all building permit fees and any other fees are waived
  • developer will pay the Town 2% of his payments from National Grid up to a limit of $50,000. (this doesn't get adjusted for inflation over those 20 years)

Read a compilation of e-mail list member comments, concerns, and questions about the partnership agreement.

Maps

This map showing possible turbine footprints shows the areas where the two turbines could be sited based on a 1.1 setback or 540 feet to property borders as the ordinance above allows. Footprint of turbine site is area in yellow.

Google aerial map of wind turbine site.

This map shows the 1000, 1500, and 2000 foot setbacks from the probable wind turbine sites

How do the Charlestown turbines compare to other wind turbines in the region?
Location Energy Rating Hub Height Blade Length Total Height
Charlestown
2.5 MW
328 feet
164 feet
492 feet
Portsmouth RI
1.5 MW
213 feet
123 feet
336 feet
Hull Mass 2
1.8 MW
180 feet
120 feet
300 feet
Hull Mass 1
660 kW
150 feet
90 feet
240 feet
Portsmth Abbey
660 kW
164 feet
76 feet
240 feet
NEIT on 95
100 kW
121 feet
35 feet
156 feet

Your Comments on the Wind Turbine issue in Charlestown - please send us more comments
Graphic of Newport Bridge showing height comparison to Charlestown, Portsmouth, and NEIT
Photo of turbine blades being raised on a GE 2.5MW wind turbine.
Photo of foundation preparation for a large turbine.

Legislation

Rhode Island Renewable Energy Laws
2009 legislation