law office of gary a. abraham · 5/14/2012 · grigsby, susan s mosman, raymond h kelly, paul b...

This conclusion is based on computer modeling of project noise that was seriously criticized in public1

comments, based upon failure to adhere to published standards in acoustics for modeling elevated noise sources, and

for failure to model noise during low-background-noise nighttime conditions. See FEIS, sec. 4.8, pp. 17-19.

LAW OFFICE OF GARY A. ABRAHAM

170 No. Second Street [email protected], New York 14706 www.garyabraham.com716-372-1913; fax is same (please call first)

May 14, 2012

Town of Allegany Planning BoardFrank DeFiore, Chairman

Peter HellierRick KavanaghHelen LarsonJohn Sayegh

Town Hall52 West Main StreetAllegany, NY 14706

Re: Everpower request for an extension of time;SUPPLEMENTAL COMMENTS

Dear Mr. DeFiore and Members of the Board:

Please consider the comments below as a supplement to my letter to you, dated May 11.

Specific misrepresentations made by Everpower prior to last July’s decision to approve aspecial use permit and site plans, had the Planning Board been aware of them, may have resultedin the Board placing further conditions on its approvals to avoid exceeding the zoning law’snoise limits at least two residences. These are the residences of Ted Gordon and JamesSevertson. Project maps showing the locations of these two properties are attached.

The Town’s zoning law, at Section 5.25(B)(3)(h)(iii) requires, prior to project approval,“analyses at affected sensitive noise receptors located within 2500 feet of the [nearest] turbine.”Everpower misrepresented to the Board Ted Gordon’s location within 2500 feet of a plannedturbine location. Mr. Gordon is correctly identified on a project map included with the DEIS, (seeDEIS, Figure 4: Wind Turbine Setback Distances, attached), but the FEIS provides no analysis ofthe impact of the project on him and removed him from final project maps.

It is very likely that a significant adverse noise impact will occur at Mr. Gordon’s home.The FEIS states that twelve turbine locations will cause an exceedence of the Town’s 45 dBAnoise limit at seven residential properties whose owners have not signed noise easementagreements. FEIS, sec. 4.8, pp. 26-27. Figure 2.5.1 in the DEIS shows that mountaintoplocations like Mr. Gordon’s have a background sound level of 30 dBA or less at night. See DEIS,REPORT No. 1827-111308-B, Rev. D, dated January 27, 2010, p. 10 (attached). Thus, based on1

2

As stated in his affidavit, submitted in connection with CCCC’s lawsuit challenging the project approval.2

Everpower’s own predictions, several residents much farther away than Ted Gordon will suffernoise in excess of 45 dBA, and the zoning law limits noise to 3 db above the background soundlevel at Mr. Gordon’s property. See Allegany Zoning Ord. II, sec. 5.25(C)(2)(a)(ii).

Recently, Mr. Gordon received notice that his property tax assessment went from $900.00last year to $64,800.00. This is a changed circumstance that should lead the Board to directEverpower to finally assess noise impacts of the project on Mr. Gordon. It represents a newrecognition by the Town that Ted Gordon has a proper septic system, has an easement to use theprivate road off the end of Chipmonk Rd. where his house is located, and he is not a seasonalresident; he sleeps there every night.

James Severtson’s property falls within the 2500 distance from the nearest plannedturbine location, but his house does not. However, it appears his house is located within the 40dBA contour line of Everpower’s noise model. According to the zoning ordinance, Everpower isrequired to obtain written consent from Mr. Severtson to “allow noise levels to exceed themaximum limits otherwise allowed.” Allegany Zoning Ord. II, Sec. 5.25(C)(3)(a). The PlanningBoard last year decided to limit noise impacts at residences farther away than 2500 feet to 40dBA. Mr. Severtson has not provided Everpower with the required written consent.2

Thus, the Planning Board should not renew the current permit at this time. Had it knownthat certain information provided to the Board by Everpower was incorrect, the Board may haveplaced further conditions on the permit to avoid exceeding limits imposed by the Town’s zoninglaw. See Town Law § 274-b(4). Instead, the Planning Board should review its previous decisionin light of our allegations that Everpower misrepresented crucial facts.

Sincerely,

/s/Gary A. Abraham

gaa/attachments: 1. Everpower Renewables, Draft Environmental Impact Statement(“DEIS”), Figure 4: Wind Turbine Setback Distances (January 2010)

2. Everpower Reneweables, DEIS, REPORT No. 1827-111308-B, Rev. D,Plot 1: Project Sound Emissions, graphic at p. 10 (January 27, 2010)

cc: John Hare, Town SupervisorCarol Horowitz (via email)

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Allegany Wind Power ProjectTown of Allegany - Cattaraugus County, New York

Draft Environmental Impact StatementFigure 4: Wind Turbine Setback Distances

Notes:

Base Map: Cattaraugus County Parcel Data.January 2010

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000500

Feet

Permanent Residence

Seasonal Residence

Parcel Boundary

Township Boundary

County Boundary

Wind Turbine

2500 foot Setback

3000 foot Setback

3500 foot Setback

4000 foot Setback

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Gary Abraham

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law office of gary a. abraham · 5/14/2012 · grigsby, susan s mosman, raymond h kelly, paul b...

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