The company wants permission to build up to 22 turbines but said because of the taller height the actual number would be somewhere between 12 and 18.
They would go on Jon Cooper’s family property. He spoke in favor of the project on Monday night. He said his family has been working to get turbines on the land for 15 years now and part of their earned income will help fund preservation.
“It’s a ten thousand acre parcel we’re doing wildlife habitat improvement projects all the time. We have given more blood sweat and tears to conservation,” Cooper said.
But many opposed to the project shared their concerns too. This project has already been approved once, at the lower height, so they didn’t have high hopes.
“Well the planning board had already had their mind made up, they’ve done a lot of talking with Apex they’ve not done hardly any discussions with the opposition,” Eric Claunch said.
Those opposed to the project say they’re even more concerned now at the taller height about how far they’ll be seen. Johnson said however at a distance of more than 15 to 20 miles you won’t be able to see much.
“But the bottom line is the turbines from that long of a distance are going to be pretty tough to see quite frankly from the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Johnson said.
The recommended changes also include a deadline extension for the project.
The changes to the ordinance and the project specifics still need final approval from the board of supervisors. It’s expected to be on the board’s agenda in the next few weeks.
