Wind additions

City council is demanding Horizon Wind Inc. add everything from soil and geological studies to specific descriptions of electrial connectivity and tourism impacts before it will consider approving the Toronto-based company’s application for an 18-turbine wind farm on the Nor’Wester Mountain Range.

Council’s request also includes an analysis of the viewshed, including both roads and turbines, and answers on the company’s repsonsibility to monitor turbine noise.

The demands, voted for Monday night, were in addition to seven recommendations already in place pertaining to Horizon’s renewable energy approval.

The additions were made after Toronto energy consultant Micheal McLeod, hired by the Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee, addressed his concerns with Horizon’s draft report.

"When I look at that (Horizon’s REA) that raises flags for me all over the place," said McLeod, who has a history of dealing with the provincial regulatory process.

But while some agreed to a point, other councillors said McLeod failed to address specific concerns during his depuation, which lasted more than 12 minutes.

Coun. Rebecca Johnson said McLeod only addressed concerns raised in countless deputations over the past several months.

"Can you tell me something new that we haven’t heard about?" asked Johnson.
When asked to offer his opinion on the city’s recommended comments for the draft approval, McLeod said he would be willing to sit down with city administration and offer his expertise but not on Monday night.

"I feel quite uncomfortable directly responding to these," McLeod said.