Man seeks approval of windmill

Chesterfield is exploring the idea of allowing wind-powered energy turbines for some of the county's more environmentally conscious homeowners.

Planning commissioners heard yesterday from the first county resident to request a turbine. Mike Kohnen says he would like to erect a 51-foot windmill on his 40 acres in the Matoaca District to supplement his electric power.

"Alternative energy is the buzzword these days. I just happen to be a fellow who wants to do more than talk about it," he told the panel.

The windmills typically range from 35 to 110 feet tall and cost $12,000 to $18,000 to purchase and install.

Although turbines are not covered by county ordinances, planning commissioners said they would work with staff in coming months to see what might be allowable in the future.

Matoaca Commissioner F. Wayne Bass said the topic is one of growing significance, noting that Stafford, Orange and Halifax counties have a number of units and that two additional Chesterfield residents had made inquiries since Kohnen.

"This county is very interested in the green approach," Bass said.

But Chairman Russell J. Gulley was quick to add that the turbines would have to be limited based on neighborhoods and acreage.

"You couldn't just have one of these in everybody's backyard," he said.

In other news:

A request by the county's Parks and Recreation Department to establish a public park along a 1-mile stretch of the Appomattox River across from Dinwiddie County was unanimously approved. A hiking trail and canoe launch will be built. The Board of Supervisors has agreed to purchase the land for $560,000 from John J. Radcliffe.

By a 3-2 vote, the commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit to allow John and Kimberly Hughes to operate a special-events business on their property at the former Beach Station railroad stop. The historically designated property is at Beach and Spring Run roads. The request goes to the Board of Supervisors.

Requests to develop the second and third phases of the Windermere subdivision in central Chesterfield were granted by a vote of 4-1, with Bass dissenting. The approval allows 119 homes to be built between Kingsland and Beulah roads.

The commission deferred for six months consideration of a "mass grading" ordinance in the Upper Swift Creek Watershed that would prohibit leveling more than 80 percent of the land on residential lots larger than 10,000 square feet.
Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .