Current law does not allow wind turbines in residential areas. This may be a good thing because most people don’t want large turbines near their homes.

Oak Park Village has 79 homes, plus the residences on 21st Avenue Northwest and the streets, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh to the north. A wind turbine placement adjacent to these homes is an inappropriate location.

A towering wind turbine would ruin the aesthetics and lower Oak Park Village property values. A couple living on the Seventh Street in Fox Pointe told us, “No way would we approve a wind turbine.”

Few people would want the sight of a giant wind turbine in their back or front yard. The proposed turbine only benefits the owners of one business. However, it negatively affects a multitude of nearby homes in our residential area.

If the planned turbine is allowed, it may escalate from there. Other retail businesses adjacent to the OPV could erect wind towers, further degrading the ambiance and property values. To protect residential homes within the city limits, we recommend you maintain the 350-foot setback in the wind turbine ordinance that was earlier proposed by the Planning Commission.

Thank you for listening to our concerns.

— Leo Kerling, Oak Park Village

Board of Directors