Judge Recognizes Turbine Property Devaluation
Court Allows for Future Lawsuits Against Wind Companies, Host Landowners, by Amanda Moore, Niagara This Week, posted April 24, 2013
West Lincoln residents who oppose the construction of industrial wind turbines in their community are pinning their hopes on a recent provincial court ruling.
While the ruling won’t prevent the storeys-high concrete giants from being built in West Lincoln, it will give “non-participating neighbours” an opportunity to protect themselves should their property values plummet.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has determined that while residents of Clearview Township cannot bring claims for a proposed industrial wind project at this time, the ruling is “without prejudice to the plaintiffs’ rights to commence an action for identical or similar relief when and if the Fairview Wind Project receives the necessary approvals to be constructed.”
The court has specifically recognized that claims against wind companies and against landowners who agree to host wind turbines are possible as soon as projects receive approval.
“There are many people who have been waiting to see how the courts would respond to these types of claims,” said lawyer Eric Gillespie, whose firm acts for the plaintiffs in the actions. “It now seems clear that as soon as a project is approved residents can start a claim. This appears to be a major step forward for people with concerns about industrial wind projects across Ontario.”
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Anti-Wind Lawsuits Stacking Up in Ontario by John Spears, The Star, posted November 1, 2012
Another group of Ontario landowners has filed a lawsuit against a wind power project in the escalating legal skirmishing over renewable energy. The latest action – against the East Lake St. Clair wind project near Wallaceburg – is the 10th that his firm is working on, according to lawyer Eric Gillespie, who filed the claim.
Like several previous actions by residents living near wind developments, the suit claims damages from not just the wind developer, International Power Canada. It also seeks damages from seven landowners who have leased out their property for turbines.
Gillespie said his clients are seeking a total of $9 million. “The claim is based on alleged devaluation of property,” Gillespie said in an interview. The claimants are asking to be compensated for up to the full value of their properties, he said.
Gilllespie said some studies have shown that property near wind power developments declines in value by up to 40 per cent.
But he said some landowners near wind projects have found no buyers at all when they try to sell, which is why his clients are asking for the full value of their holdings in compensation.
The East Lake St. Clair project is designed to deliver 99 megawatts of power, using about 55 turbines.
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CASE STUDY - Diminution in Property Value Wind Turbine Analysis, Lansink Appraisals and Consulting– by Ben Lansink AACI, P. App, MRCS, October, 2012
Conclusion – Property Purchases and Re-Sales
Market evidence suggests that ‘dwelling properties’ will be harmed or injured by the construction, use, and maintenance of wind turbines situated on properties located in the vicinity. Real or perceived nuisances resulting from wind turbines produces buyer resistance that results in price diminution.
Conclusion: Price diminution due to the Melancthon Wind Facility: 133 wind turbines
1 ID 15797 – 375557 6th Line, Amaranth -48.27%
2 ID 15798 – 97121 4th Line, Melancthon -58.56%
3 ID 15799 – 504059 Highway 89, Melancthon -23.24%
4 ID 15800 – 582340 County Road 17, Melancthon -26.66%
5 ID 16339 – 582328 County Road 17, Melancthon -37.30%
Median Loss in Market Price -37.30%
Average Loss in Market Price -38.81%
The erection of a wind turbine creates apprehension in the general public, which makes the property less desirable and thus diminishes the prices of neighbouring property. Continuing scientific uncertainty over the adverse health consequences of wind turbines only serves to perpetuate the debilitating effect of wind turbines on property prices.
By including the Transfer of Easement in Gross in the deed/transfer of the properties sold by Canadian Hydro Developments, Inc., it is reasonable to conclude that Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc. was fully aware of problems associated with…heat, sound, vibration, shadow, flickering of light, noise (including grey noise) or any other adverse effect or combination thereof resulting directly or indirectly from the operation of the Transferee’s wind turbine facilities situated…within the Townships of Melancthon and Amaranth, in the County of Dufferin…’ and that the turbines …’may affect the living environment’…”.
The covenants imposed by Canadian Hydro Developments, Inc. and accepted by the five buyers suggest an official admission by Canadian Hydro Developments, Inc. that there are living environment issues with the result that there is a diminution in price as a result of wind turbines.
It is also reasonable to assume that a property that has a wind turbine erected on it will suffer a similar price diminution and will be injuriously affected.
The Future: Given that wind turbines are a relatively new phenomenon in Ontario (2005), it may be that in the future a buyer will simply refuse to purchase a property within the vicinity of a wind turbine. If there is no buyer, there may be no value.
Click here to read the full report
Wolfe Island Property Assessment Reductions of over $3 Million, Ontario Wind Resistance, posted September 19, 2012
Dear Huron East Council,
Further to my deputation(s) regarding property devaluation by wind projects – I wish to forward some information I finally received from MPAC (as promised) regarding what has happened on Wolfe Island with regard to property assessment reductions. It hosts the province’s second largest wind farm. I am including the list of property assessment reductions from MPAC since 2008. The list shows 78 significant assessment reductions since 2008 (the wind farm became operational in 2009) totaling $3 million in reductions. The 6 largest reductions are listed below and are situated very close to the turbines themselves and very clearly shows what can happen to property assessments when wind farms are erected around residential areas. I do not wish to waste council’s time with another deputation-but would like to know what progress has been made with regard to creating a by-law (as discussed) to protect this from happening to Huron East ratepayers (and the municipalities’ tax base)? It was indicated that proof needed to be provided before attempting to put in place such a bylaw. I think that I have upheld my end of the bargain. Many of my neighbours are eager to know if there will be some protection put in place from potentially losing their life savings in their property equity? Here are the addresses of residents (near the wind project) who were granted assessment reductions of over $100,000 by MPAC in the Township of Wolfe Island from 2008 until Jan. 2012.
Reduction
- 82 - Oak Point Rd.: -$118,000
- 23 - Nine Mile Point Rd. -$143,000
- 429- Nine Mile Point Rd. -$119,000
- 433 -Nine Mile Point Rd. -$117,000
- 496 -Nine Mile Point Rd. -$107,000
- 136 – Lucas Point Lane -$101,000
Click here to read more ...
Powerful ally: Wind opponents hail election of local activist as head of real estate board, by Heather Wright, Sarnia This Week, posted September 14, 2012
GRAND BEND – For months, Grand Bend Realtor Doug Pedlar has been voicing concerns about property values near industrial wind turbines. Now, he has a larger podium to speak from.
Pedlar, who researched just how much homeowners lose when wind farms set up shop next door (about 30 per cent) is now the president-elect of the London/St. Thomas Real Estate Board. One of his first tasks was an eight-minute YouTube video about wind turbines and property values. CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO
Pedlar says the London/ St Thomas board has been very worried about the issue, even pressing the provincial real estate association to speak to the province about the matter. “We’re quietly working away at this,” he says.
But the volume is going up. The YouTube video had 500 hits in the first weekend and other real estate boards are posting the information session on their website. And Pedlar is pleased.
“The unfortunate thing about it is people are just not aware of what is going on,” he says. “If you don’t see them, if they’re not in your face, you don’t know.
“The thing that I’m really afraid of is not just the property values but the perception of going to an area filled with turbines,” says Pedlar, fearing people will discount living in rural areas because of the turbines. “I drive through Chatham-Kent (the municipality with 300 turbines either built or on the books) and I get a sick feeling…it is not the most pleasant thing in the world.”
Click here to read more ...
Pedlar, who researched just how much homeowners lose when wind farms set up shop next door (about 30 per cent) is now the president-elect of the London/St. Thomas Real Estate Board. One of his first tasks was an eight-minute YouTube video about wind turbines and property values. CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO
Pedlar says the London/ St Thomas board has been very worried about the issue, even pressing the provincial real estate association to speak to the province about the matter. “We’re quietly working away at this,” he says.
But the volume is going up. The YouTube video had 500 hits in the first weekend and other real estate boards are posting the information session on their website. And Pedlar is pleased.
“The unfortunate thing about it is people are just not aware of what is going on,” he says. “If you don’t see them, if they’re not in your face, you don’t know.
“The thing that I’m really afraid of is not just the property values but the perception of going to an area filled with turbines,” says Pedlar, fearing people will discount living in rural areas because of the turbines. “I drive through Chatham-Kent (the municipality with 300 turbines either built or on the books) and I get a sick feeling…it is not the most pleasant thing in the world.”
Click here to read more ...
Twenty More Clearview Neighbours Join Forces to Support $17 Million Legal Action Against Wind Project by Ontario Wind Resistance, posted April 14, 2012
Excerpt: Lawyer Eric Gillespie states, “The landowners who signed contracts to host wind turbines on their lands are being held liable, as well as the wind developers."
No longer is the recent Wiggins legal action against WPD’s proposed Fairview wind development and the turbine lease holder Beattie Brothers Ltd. a David vs. Goliath challenge. As a result of multiple meetings held in Collingwood with Eric Gillespie, lawyer for John and Sylvia Wiggins in their initial turbine lawsuit, twenty (20) more local Clearview landowners have become participants in two separate collective actions opposing the wind proposal. The claims are for alleged property devaluation and loss of use and enjoyment of the plaintiffs’ lands.
The first group is comprised of fifteen (15) additional landowners who are now also proposed plaintiffs in the Wiggins action, brought against WPD and Beattie Bros Ltd. for lands north of Highway 91, who intend to host six (6) turbines. A second action has also been started to the south, brought by five (5) more landowners in a lawsuit against WPD and another Beattie family, Ed Beattie & Son Ltd, who intend to host two (2) turbines.
Click here to read more ...
Neighbours Sue Farmers for Offering Land to Wind Turbine Development by John Spears, Toronto Star, posted January 18, 2012
Sylvia and John Wiggins put their 48-acre horse farm near Stayner up for sale last summer for $1.25 million.
Then a wind developer sent out notices of its plans to put up big wind turbines on a neighbouring farm.
“Prior to that time, we had a lot of action,” Wiggins said Wednesday. “But from that moment on, none.”
Sylvia Wiggins, the owner of the family property, is now suing not only the wind developer, WPD Canada Corporation, but the owner of the farm that has agreed to lease property for the turbines.
It’s the first time anyone has sued a property owner playing host to a wind development, Wiggins’s lawyer Eric Gillespie, told a news conference.
Excerpt: Gillespie said there’s precedent for suing the landowner when a business is detrimental to its neighbours, even if the landowner isn’t running the business.
He said in the 1980s, neighbours of a go-kart track in Niagara Falls successfully sued the landowner of the track, even though the owner had leased the property to the go-cart operator.
Click here to read more.
Realtor to Add Voice to Wind Debate posted May 26, 2011, NiagaraThisWeek
A perceived negativity can bring the down the value of home. Be it a pig farm, a highway or, in West Lincoln’s case, massive wind turbines.
A representative from Team Turek, a RE/MAX real estate team which covers the West Lincoln area, is one of four speakers who will present information on the issue at a public information meeting May 30. Adele Turek, a member of the real estate team, said she has already seen the impact two proposed wind energy projects have had on the rural community.
“I’ve had a buyer state that they would not buy a property in Caistor Centre because of the wind turbines and another say they would put in an offer but it would be low to compensate for it,” she said. “It’s scary. The property values have gone up in West Lincoln over the last decade. It’s a wonderful place to live and to have something like this bring down those values is worrisome.”
Click here to read more ...
Ripley Wind Project Company buys out Four Homes by Troy Paterson, Kincardine News, April 29, 2011
In a HALT media release, president Mac Serra said although the homeowners have been gagged by the sale process, they know the families of the four homes sold, out of five that were dealing with health issues, have been fighting the companies for years, "over their inability to lead normal lives in their own homes caused by the Ripley Wind Power Project.
Four homes within the 38-turbine, 76-megawatt Ripley Wind Power Project have been purchased by owners Suncor and Acciona Energy, as a solution to resolve the ongoing issues some residents within the project have been dealing with since it was built in 2007.
Acciona's Paul Austin said the companies have worked with the Ripley stakeholders for some time, determining "it was it the best interest of the project, the companies and the community to purchase the homes."
Austin said by offering the residents "market value" for their homes, it would allow them to move so the companies could resell the homes to other interested parties.
"We take the concerns of all our stakeholders seriously," said Austin, adding they've been working with local stakeholders to answer questions and understand their concerns since the project began. "After a prolonged period of consultation that involved a number of third-party studies and tests, it was agreed upon that the only solution that could meet the needs of this small group of local landowners was to purchase their homes."
The final agreement was reached on March 16, after the prices were determined by independent appraisers.
Click here to read more...
Four homes within the 38-turbine, 76-megawatt Ripley Wind Power Project have been purchased by owners Suncor and Acciona Energy, as a solution to resolve the ongoing issues some residents within the project have been dealing with since it was built in 2007.
Acciona's Paul Austin said the companies have worked with the Ripley stakeholders for some time, determining "it was it the best interest of the project, the companies and the community to purchase the homes."
Austin said by offering the residents "market value" for their homes, it would allow them to move so the companies could resell the homes to other interested parties.
"We take the concerns of all our stakeholders seriously," said Austin, adding they've been working with local stakeholders to answer questions and understand their concerns since the project began. "After a prolonged period of consultation that involved a number of third-party studies and tests, it was agreed upon that the only solution that could meet the needs of this small group of local landowners was to purchase their homes."
The final agreement was reached on March 16, after the prices were determined by independent appraisers.
Click here to read more...
Four of the Ripley-Five homes bought out by wind developers posted on WCO April 28, 2011
Christina Ellerbeck, Manager for Suncor
Suncor and Acciona executives quietly bought out residents experiencing health problems.
Documentation: Ripley Property Transfers
“If there are no health effects from Industrial Wind Turbines as their proponents claim, then why would wind plant operators buy the homes of wind victims?”.
This is the question being asked by HALT (Huron-Kinloss Against Lakeside Turbines) President Mac Serra. The group recently discovered the sale of four of the five properties previously owned by the families that have been fighting Suncor and Acciona over their inability to lead normal lives in their own homes caused by the Ripley Wind Power Project.
The homes were purchased by 2270573 Ontario Inc. One director for this company listed on the transfer is a manager for Suncor and the other a manager for Acciona.
The victims themselves cannot speak, silenced by a process which leaves the public in the dark over the true extent of the impact caused by industrial wind. “There are over 100 families across Ontario who claim their health is negatively affected by wind development. Many more cannot speak due to confidentiality agreements signed with the wind companies or simply won’t speak up, not wanting to upset their neighbours” said Mac.
Click here to read more ...
Documentation: Ripley Property Transfers
“If there are no health effects from Industrial Wind Turbines as their proponents claim, then why would wind plant operators buy the homes of wind victims?”.
This is the question being asked by HALT (Huron-Kinloss Against Lakeside Turbines) President Mac Serra. The group recently discovered the sale of four of the five properties previously owned by the families that have been fighting Suncor and Acciona over their inability to lead normal lives in their own homes caused by the Ripley Wind Power Project.
The homes were purchased by 2270573 Ontario Inc. One director for this company listed on the transfer is a manager for Suncor and the other a manager for Acciona.
The victims themselves cannot speak, silenced by a process which leaves the public in the dark over the true extent of the impact caused by industrial wind. “There are over 100 families across Ontario who claim their health is negatively affected by wind development. Many more cannot speak due to confidentiality agreements signed with the wind companies or simply won’t speak up, not wanting to upset their neighbours” said Mac.
Click here to read more ...
Waubra wind farm buys more properties by Brendan Gullifer, posted November 18, 2010
Waubra wind farm operator Acciona has confirmed it has now bought out seven property owners. Director of generation Brett Wickham said yesterday two more properties had been recently purchased by the company. Mr Wickham said post-construction noise monitoring was completed in September.
This monitoring showed turbines near two houses could not be run normally, with noise levels exceeding those stipulated by the project's planning permit. The turbines would need to have been run in reduced-noise mode, Mr Wickham said.
He said it was a commercial decision to purchase the properties, with confidentiality agreements covering the sales to "protect both parties". Mr Wickham said four properties were purchased as an initial requirement of the project's planning permit.
And in February the company effectively silenced one of its most high-profile critics with the purchase of Victor and Trish Godfrey's five-acre property. Ms Godfrey had alleged wind farms caused major health problems including insomnia, depression, headaches, dizziness, nausea and tinnitus.
At the time Acciona said the the purchase was prompted by factors that included the visual impact of turbines on the Godfreys' home.
This monitoring showed turbines near two houses could not be run normally, with noise levels exceeding those stipulated by the project's planning permit. The turbines would need to have been run in reduced-noise mode, Mr Wickham said.
He said it was a commercial decision to purchase the properties, with confidentiality agreements covering the sales to "protect both parties". Mr Wickham said four properties were purchased as an initial requirement of the project's planning permit.
And in February the company effectively silenced one of its most high-profile critics with the purchase of Victor and Trish Godfrey's five-acre property. Ms Godfrey had alleged wind farms caused major health problems including insomnia, depression, headaches, dizziness, nausea and tinnitus.
At the time Acciona said the the purchase was prompted by factors that included the visual impact of turbines on the Godfreys' home.
Lawyers Called to Help in Green Energy Battle By Daryl-Lynn Carlson Law Times
With Ontario getting on the green energy bandwagon, lawyers who practise real estate law face the prospect of representing clients who have been approached by alternative power developers seeking to set up wind farms or solar panel projects.
‘Some people have had difficulty selling their property because of the windmills located nearby,’ says Juli Abouchar.
Those clients could range from people who own large parcels of property to individual homeowners within proximity of a proposed wind farm who fear their land values will plummet in the event an alternative energy project receives approval.
John Goudy, a litigator at Cohen Highley LLP in London, Ont., whose practice deals with the area of land use and related environmental issues, has been retained by several farmers recently who’ve been approached by green energy developers seeking to lease a portion of their property to set up wind projects.
He acknowledges that wind farms are often opposed by neighbouring residents concerned about health issues and, perhaps more significantly, property values should a wind project get approval in their neighbourhood. “The projects that are most controversial are the wind projects,” he says.
“In talking to land owners about whether they should enter into a contract to allow companies to come on to their property and build turbines, I tell them that one of the things they should look at is liability and what sort of potential liability they have towards their neighbours.
That project on their land could cause some damage or loss of property value for neighbours around them.”
Click here to read more...
‘Some people have had difficulty selling their property because of the windmills located nearby,’ says Juli Abouchar.
Those clients could range from people who own large parcels of property to individual homeowners within proximity of a proposed wind farm who fear their land values will plummet in the event an alternative energy project receives approval.
John Goudy, a litigator at Cohen Highley LLP in London, Ont., whose practice deals with the area of land use and related environmental issues, has been retained by several farmers recently who’ve been approached by green energy developers seeking to lease a portion of their property to set up wind projects.
He acknowledges that wind farms are often opposed by neighbouring residents concerned about health issues and, perhaps more significantly, property values should a wind project get approval in their neighbourhood. “The projects that are most controversial are the wind projects,” he says.
“In talking to land owners about whether they should enter into a contract to allow companies to come on to their property and build turbines, I tell them that one of the things they should look at is liability and what sort of potential liability they have towards their neighbours.
That project on their land could cause some damage or loss of property value for neighbours around them.”
Click here to read more...
Real Estate Professional's Concerns Regarding Wind Turbines
Presentation to public meeting Arran/Elderslie Municipality - September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity to address this meeting. My involvement with this subject started in West Grey where I made a presentation to council and later to a public meeting, sharing the platform with representatives of the Turbine Developer and others. After that I was asked to present my case to a public meeting in Meaford Municipality. I was pleased when Mark Davis gave me the opportunity to speak here this evening. I recognize that property types and uses are different in different areas but concerns are much the same and I will stick to my area of knowledge and talk about the impact that wind farms will have on property values in the area. Click here to read more…
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity to address this meeting. My involvement with this subject started in West Grey where I made a presentation to council and later to a public meeting, sharing the platform with representatives of the Turbine Developer and others. After that I was asked to present my case to a public meeting in Meaford Municipality. I was pleased when Mark Davis gave me the opportunity to speak here this evening. I recognize that property types and uses are different in different areas but concerns are much the same and I will stick to my area of knowledge and talk about the impact that wind farms will have on property values in the area. Click here to read more…
U.S. wrestling with property values and setbacks for its wind turbines by David Meyer Wellington Advertiser posted September 17, 2010
While residents in Wellington County are struggling to stave off a number of wind farm projects in their communities, their counterparts in the United States are facing the same battles and arguing with the same tools.
The difference is that here the provincial government has taken away the rights of county and municipal governments to have a say in the process, whereas in the United States, counties still have authority and control over wind farms.
An example of that is Adams County in Illinois, which recently received a report from a real estate appraiser for Adams County. Michael McCann submitted an 82 page report of 21,098 words to county council outlining the difficulties setting setbacks, as well as the loss of property values and possibility of illness that have been associated with wind farms. His report was sworn under oath.
Excerpt:
"In his summary, McCann wrote:
- Residential property values are adversely and measurably impacted by close proximity of industrial-scale wind energy turbine projects to the residential properties, with value losses measured up to two-miles from the nearest turbine(s), in some instances.
- Impacts are most pronounced within “footprint” of such projects, and many ground-zero homes have been completely unmarketable, thus depriving many homeowners of reasonable market-based liquidity or pre-existing home equity.
- Noise and sleep disturbance issues are mostly affecting people within two miles of the nearest turbines and one-mile distances are commonplace, with many variables and fluctuating range of results occurring on a household by household basis.
- Real estate sale data typically reveals a range of 25% to approximately 40% of value loss, with some instances of total loss as measured by abandonment and demolition of homes, some bought out by wind energy developers and others exhibiting nearly complete loss of marketability.
- Serious impact to the “use and enjoyment” of many homes is an on-going occurrence, and many people are on record as confirming they have rented other dwellings, either individual families or as a homeowner group-funded mitigation response for use on nights when noise levels are increased well above ambient background noise and render their existing homes untenable.
- Reports often cited by industry in support of claims that there is no property value, noise or health impacts are often mischaracterized, misquoted, or are unreliable. The two most recent reports touted by wind developers and completed in December 2009 contain executive summaries that are so thoroughly cross-contingent that they are better described as “disclaimers” of the studies rather than solid, scientifically supported conclusions. Both reports ignore or fail to study very relevant and observable issues and trends."
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Living with the Impact of Windmills by Chris Luxembuger
Chris Luxembuger is a Real Estate Broker with the Sutton Group - Professional Realty Inc. He is a serving Director of the Brampton Real Estate Board and has been involved in the windmill OMB process in Amaranth since 2007 and East Luther in 2008. Click here to read more...
Ontario Assessment Review Board ruling on wind power noise sets precedent by Bob Aaron Toronto Star posted January 9, 2010
In a precedent setting move, a recently discovered decision of the provincial Assessment Review Board (ARB) has cut a homeowner’s assessment in half because the house is located near a noisy hydro substation. The hydro plant serves a nearby wind farm producing “clean” electricity. Click here to read more...
Canadian Hydro Developers Buys Six Unlivable Homes and Gags Sellers
posted by WCO August 26, 2009
According to the land registry office in Orangeville (documentation available on request), six homes in Dufferin County have been purchased by Canadian Hydro Developers after serious complaints; most recently June 26th, 2009 the Ashbee home. Before these families could escape the nightmare of their unliveable homes, they had to agree to sign strict nondisclosure contracts (gag-orders) to protect the wind company. This wind company has spent over $1.75 million dollars clandestinely buying out these six families yet they still try to claim there were no complaints.
This list of residents is not yet conclusive.
Family Name Address
Ashbee PT LT 29 CON 7, PT 1 7R742; Amaranth
Frasers 58234 County Rd 17, Melancthon
Benvenete Pt Lts 284 & 285, Con 4, Melancthon
Brownell Pt Lt 29, Con 5, Pt 1, 7R787, Amaranth
Williams 58232 County Rd, RR 6 Melancthon
Barlows Pt Lt 1, Con 5, Melancthon
Why is this happening?
Industrial Wind Turbines were allowed to be sited too close to residences. This caused severe noise and adverse health affects including cardiac arrhythmia, sleep disturbance, fatigue, increased stress levels and loss of cognitive function.
Their homes became unfit for human habitation. The purchases by the wind developer are an admission that wind turbines have created health issues that impact residents.
Unfortunately, the wind industry and the McGuinty government have failed to publicly acknowledge or act on health issues and the pleas for help from the families impacted. This government is pushing this agenda with full knowledge of the existing problems and the potential for many more going forward. Meanwhile the McGuinty government refuses to conduct proper health studies.
This list of residents is not yet conclusive.
Family Name Address
Ashbee PT LT 29 CON 7, PT 1 7R742; Amaranth
Frasers 58234 County Rd 17, Melancthon
Benvenete Pt Lts 284 & 285, Con 4, Melancthon
Brownell Pt Lt 29, Con 5, Pt 1, 7R787, Amaranth
Williams 58232 County Rd, RR 6 Melancthon
Barlows Pt Lt 1, Con 5, Melancthon
Why is this happening?
Industrial Wind Turbines were allowed to be sited too close to residences. This caused severe noise and adverse health affects including cardiac arrhythmia, sleep disturbance, fatigue, increased stress levels and loss of cognitive function.
Their homes became unfit for human habitation. The purchases by the wind developer are an admission that wind turbines have created health issues that impact residents.
Unfortunately, the wind industry and the McGuinty government have failed to publicly acknowledge or act on health issues and the pleas for help from the families impacted. This government is pushing this agenda with full knowledge of the existing problems and the potential for many more going forward. Meanwhile the McGuinty government refuses to conduct proper health studies.
Wind Farms = lower property values (read this Wisconsin study!) posted October 21, 2009
Wind Turbine Impact Study
Author: Appraisal Group One
This is a study of the impact that wind turbines have on residential property value. The wind turbines that are the focus of this study are the larger turbines being approximately 389ft tall and producing 1.0+ megawatts each.
The study has been broken into three component parts, each looking at the value impact of the wind turbines from a different perspective. The three parts are: (1) a literature study, which reviews and summarizes what has been published on this matter found in the general media; (2) an opinion survey, which was given to area Realtors to learn their opinions on the impact of wind turbines in their area; and, 3) sales studies, which compared vacant residential lot sales within the wind turbine farm area to comparable sales located outside of the turbine influence.
Excerpt:
"In conclusion, it can be observed that:
(a) in all cases with a 1-5 acre residential property, whether vacant or improved, there will be a negative impact in property value;
(b) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in bordering proximity ranged from −39% to −43%;
(c) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in close proximity ranged from −33% to −36%;
(d) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in near proximity ranged from −24% to −29%;
(e) in all cases the estimated loss of value between the vacant land and improved property was close, however the vacant land estimates were always higher by a few percentage points;
(f) it appears that hobby farm use on larger parcels would have lesser sensitivity to the proximity of wind turbines than single family land use; and
(g) placement either in front or at the rear of a residence has similar negative impacts."
Click here to read more...
Author: Appraisal Group One
This is a study of the impact that wind turbines have on residential property value. The wind turbines that are the focus of this study are the larger turbines being approximately 389ft tall and producing 1.0+ megawatts each.
The study has been broken into three component parts, each looking at the value impact of the wind turbines from a different perspective. The three parts are: (1) a literature study, which reviews and summarizes what has been published on this matter found in the general media; (2) an opinion survey, which was given to area Realtors to learn their opinions on the impact of wind turbines in their area; and, 3) sales studies, which compared vacant residential lot sales within the wind turbine farm area to comparable sales located outside of the turbine influence.
Excerpt:
"In conclusion, it can be observed that:
(a) in all cases with a 1-5 acre residential property, whether vacant or improved, there will be a negative impact in property value;
(b) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in bordering proximity ranged from −39% to −43%;
(c) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in close proximity ranged from −33% to −36%;
(d) with 1-5 acre properties the negative impact in property value in near proximity ranged from −24% to −29%;
(e) in all cases the estimated loss of value between the vacant land and improved property was close, however the vacant land estimates were always higher by a few percentage points;
(f) it appears that hobby farm use on larger parcels would have lesser sensitivity to the proximity of wind turbines than single family land use; and
(g) placement either in front or at the rear of a residence has similar negative impacts."
Click here to read more...
Denmark: public policy regarding loss of value to real property due to wind turbines January 1, 2009
Summary: Denmark adopted this policy in 2008-2009 which requires developers to pay compensation for loss of value of real property following the erection of the wind turbine. A summary of the policy is cited below. The policy document detailing the process of determining loss and compensation can be accessed by downloading the file linked to this page. This information was obtained from the Danish Energy Agency website. An erector of a wind turbine has a duty to pay compensation for loss of value of real property following the erection of the wind turbine. The size of the loss of value is determined by an appraisal authority.
If a property loses more than 1 per cent in value due to the erection of new wind turbines, the owner is ensured full compensation for his loss. The owner of the property must notify his claim for compensation for loss of value to Energinet.dk. As owner of the property you can choose to enter into a voluntary agreement for compensation for the loss of value with the erector of the wind turbine, or you can ask an impartial appraisal authority to make a specific appraisal of the property and determine the scope of your loss. Click here to read more...
If a property loses more than 1 per cent in value due to the erection of new wind turbines, the owner is ensured full compensation for his loss. The owner of the property must notify his claim for compensation for loss of value to Energinet.dk. As owner of the property you can choose to enter into a voluntary agreement for compensation for the loss of value with the erector of the wind turbine, or you can ask an impartial appraisal authority to make a specific appraisal of the property and determine the scope of your loss. Click here to read more...
