Since it seems abundantly clear that the legislation recommended by the Planning Commission and enacted by the Town Council did not receive the proper due diligence, and as a consequence fails to protect the public safety, health, and interests adequately, there are three important questions that need to be answered by the Planning Commission during the upcoming meeting on January 4, 2011 at 7 PM in the High School Auditorium:
1) When the rights of the public were diminished (when setbacks were lowered), was proper consideration given to the public benefit of commercial windmills constructed in residential neighborhoods? In other words what did the public receive in return?
2) Was proper consideration given to the impact on the entire town when notification was given to just the immediate abutters and those within 250 feet of the project? This isn’t a question of someone building a shed in their back yard that might be visible by 2 or 3 homes. this is about someone building a 40-story structure in a bedroom community that will be visible town-wide.
3) Was proper consideration given to building a commercial power plant in the middle of a residential neighborhood, since this project seems to be substantially larger than what Rhode Island Net-Metering Laws were written to cover?
The board urges all homeowners to attend the upcoming Planning Commission meeting and let your voice be heard. January 4, 2011 @ 7 PM in the High School Auditorium.