Character of the Neighborhood

The opposing neighbors initially had many concerns regarding the windmill including noise, property values, effects on wildlife, danger to children, etc.  When these concerns were dismissed by the facts, the neighbors started focusing on the more nebulous argument that the windmill would ruin the character of the neighborhood.  To address this concern we took a number of steps.  First, we found Town regulations that would support the presence of a windmill or other rural or agricultural implement.  Second, we presented many photographs of the current character of the neighborhood and town.   These included photographs of utility poles strung with wires, nearby water towers, neighbors' propane tanks on their front lawn, radio and television transmitter towers in residential areas, and area windmills.

Town Regulations

From the map in the Penfield Master Plan book between pages 41 and 42, 1460 Marchner Road is within the rural District. Page 44 of the Master Plan book deals with agricultural land. "The intent of a Certified Agricultural District is to protect and promote continued agricultural operations… One additional consideration proposed in this classification is to increase the flexibility and expansion of certain non-residential uses that may be considered compatible with the agri-business nature of the area". On page 51 of the Master Plan book, the following statement is made, "expand the permitted non-residential uses in the RA-2 district to allow such additional uses as consistent with the agricultural operations and revise the bulk regulations to be more consistent with the large lot sizes". From my reading of the above Master Plan information, our proposed windmill is more in keeping with Penfield’s long term goals than is expanding residential activity in the Certified Agricultural District.

All of the land on Marchner Road is zoned as rural agricultural - 2. When visiting Marchner Road, it is obvious that probably half of the land is still actively used for agriculture. A recent visit demonstrated large diesel tractors plowing land, making noise, and kicking up dust. The nine acre lot adjoining the East side of 1460 Marchner lot was recently plowed and planted with corn. On the West side of 1460 Marchner Road is a tree farm. On the East side of the Frawley Farms subdivision (Northeast of 1460 Marchner Road) is a large farm currently being plowed and planted.

Photos of the Neighborhood

Unfortunately, the photos did not reproduce well for the web page.  A flavor of the neighborhood can still be gained from the sample pictures.

Propane tank in clear view on neighbor's yard

Utility poles line Marcher and Plank
Two large water towers in photo but poor photo quality hides

Utility pole and radio tower next to home (not visible due to poor photo quality)

Wind tower next to house in Webster

Another wind tower next to house in Webster