Cool response

Turbines spin over Wolfe Island.

CCSAGE Naturally Green seeks council’s endorsement for OMB claim strategy

Nearly 400 County businesses and property owners have served notice that they will make a claim through the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in the event that the development of industrial wind turbines diminishes or impairs the value of their businesses or properties. But the committee of council wasn’t sure it wanted to be so plain in its intentions or to be seen as supporting business or property owners that might make such a claim.

Garth Manning spoke before a committee of council last week urging it to support the initiative. Manning, a retired property lawyer, is spearheading this initiative, seen as a potential deterrent to industrial wind turbines and other intrusive renewable energy installations.

The initiative is based upon a ruling made last year by the Supreme Court of Canada in which it found the province could not diminish the value of a business or property without compensating the owner—even where the province believed it was acting in the public’s good.

Similarly, Manning believes the province may be required to compensate businesses and property owners in the County, and elsewhere, for loss of value in the wake of the development of industrial wind turbines nearby.

Last week he sought council’s endorsement.

He received a rather timid response.

“We don’t know what support means,” said Bloomfield councillor Barry Turpin. “Will we be asked to provide financial support to any claims that are filed?”

Sophiasburgh councillor Terry Shortt was equally cool to the idea.

“We need to know what we are getting into,” said Shortt.

But not all council voices were as muted.

Athol councillor Jamie Forrester was predictably hostile to the initiative.

“I’ve talked to a lot of businesses, a lot of tourist businesses, I’m not hearing the same concerns (about property values),” said Forrester. “I’ve heard this over and over again. I want to know where it is coming from.”

Recently converted, Keith MacDonald says industrial wind turbines will hurt agriculture and tourism in the County.

“I will do anything I can to eliminate the installation of windmills in PrinceEdwardCounty,” said the councillor from Hallowell.

In the end, North Marysburgh councillor Robert Quaiff was able to marshall enough support put the question to municipal staff, to prepare a report on the implications of endorsing CCSAGE Naturally Green’s initiative.

The committee of council was able to put off making a decision to another day.