Recently
I wrote an article...Not
in My Back Yard...the
focus being on Wind Turbines...the pros and cons. Strange that most
people don't object to conveniences for others, yet deem them
inconvenient if centered too closely to their own property...whether
municipal or rural.
In mid-October I visited a long time friend who runs Eagle Adventures
in Beaver Valley. The autumn colours were magnificent! En route
through the Georgian Bay area, the countryside became alive with wind
turbines...blades turning slowly in the breeze ~ wonderful
technology! The first view excited me to turn onto a rural side road
to photo it. Then in the distance were dozens more. If I owned
country, I'd have a couple or more of them...although I might create
unfriendly neighbours!
At
Richard's retreat on several wooded acres in Beaver Valley, was a
colourful Spring magazine issue of Mountain
Life (referring
to Collingwood's 'Blue Mountain').
In it was an article written by Paul Wilson:
Looking
for Answers to the Wind Farm Conundrum
Call me a fool, but I've always wondered, “What's not to like
about 'wind power'? The fuel is free and renewable...there are
virtually no emissions...the technology is elegant and relatively
simple (just what the doctor ordered for a beleaguered planet). I
also happen to like...the look of modern windmills...and still feel a
small thrill when I drive out of Shelburne (in the Georgian Bay Area)
on my way home and see them on the horizon...responding to the speed
of the breeze. (I know, I know, I know...they're not in my backyard,
but bear with me.)
There's also the 'romance' of it. Before 'steam' and the
'internal combustion engine' it was merely wind, augmented by horse
and muscle power, that drove the world's most advanced economies ~
propelled their ships ~ ground their grain ~ and powered their looms.
In that sense, the recent dramatic increase in 'wind turbine farms'
here in Ontario marks the return of a technology that has a long and
honourable pedigree. Arguments like this may be soft-headed and
hardly likely to change the mind of a die-hard 'wind-power-opponent'
but I'm just saying, until I started digging into the issue, that was
about where I stand. Not exactly on solid ground, you could say ~ and
you'd be right.
We don't need to get rid of 'wind power' ~
we just need to be smarter about how we deploy it.
To me, the answer is quite straight forward ~
its Location and its Discussion.
Ontario is a big place with plenty of empty spaces...with plenty
of technical and economic know-how...with smart people and smart
ideas...and all that's missing right now is ~ the 'good will'!
Wind Turbines Have Little Impact on Property Values
(by Colin Perkel ~ The Canadian Press)
Toronto:
Wind turbines generally have little effect on the value of nearby
properties with possible isolated exceptions, a recent study of
thousands of home and farm sales has found. The surprising findings,
published in the “Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics”
come amid an already fiery debate over wind farm impacts and appear
to contradict widely held views among turbine critics.
The study focused on Ontario's Melancthon township ~ home to one of
the country's oldest and largest wind farms and surrounding areas.
“The lack of significant effects of the Melancthon wind farm is
somewhat surprising, given the public outcry regarding the
construction of these turbines,” the authors said. “These results
do not corroborate the concerns raised by the residents regarding
potential negative
impacts of turbines on property values.” The University of Guelph
researchers analyzed more than 7,000 home and farm sales that
occurred between 2002 and 2010 in Melancthon Township, which saw 133
turbines put up between 2005 and 2008, and 10 surrounding townships.
“These turbines have not impacted the value of surrounding
properties,” co-authors Richard Vyn and Ryan McCullough conclude.
Further, the nature of the results, which indicate a lack of
significant effects, is similar across both rural residential
properties and farm properties.”
(Vyn found the results somewhat surprising
given the frequent and public criticism of turbines.)
Dave Launchbury (sales representative) who has been selling real
estate for seven years in Melancthon, about 139 kilometres north of
Hamilton, said there appears to be a growing stigma attached to
properties near turbines. Many potential buyers won't look at them,
he said. He estimated properties close to turbines sell for at least
10 per cent less.
* * * * * * *
Not
mentioned in this article and comments from Dave Launchbury is the
fact that property owners are paid a substantial sum monthly for the
low
use of the actual land involved in the erection of these turbines.
The photo attached to this article in the recent newspaper, shows a
bleak flat landscape with a few wind turbines which actually add some
dimension and purpose to the extensive farm view.
Personally, as a Real Estate Sales Representative for many years,
I've met a few challenges. The first residential listing I had was
from a young couple with a son and daughter. Their semi-detached
home on Enfield Road had 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and finished
basement. It sided along a slow winding creek with a weeping willow
that branched over the stream...very scenic and picnic-like setting.
Their home had been 'on the market for sale' with another real estate
firm for several months...with no offer to purchase from a buyer.
What was the drawback??? The lot, although about 210 feet deep,
backed on railway tracks with several trains a day rumbling through
their neighbourhood...and shunting of freight cars.
Sharon and her husband, Rich asked what I was going to do to sell
their property. To me the answer was simple: “Find buyers who
loved trains or buyers who were deaf.” That sold it for them! My
ads, “For Train Lovers” resulted in a few showings within the
month...and BINGO...their home SOLD! Of course, I 'doubled-ended'
this deal by selling Sharon and Rich a fully detached home.
Dave Launchbury must know that real estate property is not always “an
easy sell.”
He must appeal to buyers, who (like Paul Wilson and me )
enjoy the “Wind-Turbine Landscape” and would
appreciate
the monthly 'lease of the land'
going into my piggy bank!
Merle Baird-Kerr...written December 9, 2014
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