PROVIDENCE – The Providence Zoning Board of Review will consider two proposals for the construction of three wind turbines on the Providence waterfront at its Wednesday meeting.
Both applications were filed on behalf of Green Development LLC for turbines to be located on the land of Provport Inc. and Johnson & Wales University. All three turbines would be 364 feet tall and would require a variance for height and setback limits in the area.
The ProvPort and Green Development wind turbine would be located at 1 Fields Point Drive – Plat 56, lot 322. The lot currently has a height allowance of 90 feet, according to the Providence Code of Ordinances.
The JWU and Green Development turbines would be located at 250 and 310 Shipyard St., plat 56, lots 371 and 292 in the city, at the JWU Harborside Campus. The JWU lots currently have a height restriction of 75 feet, per ordinance.
All three of the proposed turbines are in close proximity, just north of the Save The Bay headquarters and south of the three turbines at the Narragansett Bay Commission site that are all roughly 360 feet tall.
Wind energy system zoning in Providence also requires wind turbines be set back from the nearest property line a distance of not less than the normal setback requirements for that zoning district or 110 percent of the turbine height, whichever is greater. In the case of Green Development’s application in conjunction with JWU, the company is also seeking relief from setback rules related to wind energy system zoning.
The company said that the turbines are planned to be operational by the end of 2019. The turbines, if approved by the zoning bard would still need to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and would require local building permits.
The board will also consider an application from Palliatech RI LLC and Silver Lake Properties for a special use permit for a cultivation center for cannabis at 136 Silver Lake Ave.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. Email him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.
