RED HOOK, N.Y. — The Town Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 22, on a zoning amendment that would establish special-use guidelines for the construction of micro-hydroelectric facilities that generate a maximum of 100 kilowatts of electricity.
The hearing is to start at 7:35 p.m. in the Town Hall, 7340 S. Broadway (Route 9).
“This would allow very small facilities in our community that are capable of providing the equivalent energy of approximately 12 households,” town Supervisor Robert McKeon said. “It is potentially a good way to provide a small revenue stream … for landowners to assist in maintaining dams for health and safety reasons.”
Under the proposed guidelines, micro-hydroelectric facilities would be allowed in the town’s Waterfront Conservation District, which extends along the Hudson River shoreline, except for property in the village of Tivoli.
McKeon noted that private hydro plants were among the first sources of electricity for rich people in the region.
“As history aficionados know, the Hudson Valley was home to small hydroelectric facilities, including one at Montgomery Place,” he said.
The Montgomery Place facility was in use from 1923 to 1965 and served the entire hamlet of Annandale-on-Hudson, where Bard College is located. It remained as a backup electricity supply until 1983.
Under the proposal, a micro-hydroelectric facility could be considered either a primary or accessory property use; would need to demonstrate compliance with requirements in the town”s Historic Landmark Overlay District; would be exempt from the “extraordinary front yard setback” requirements but would need to comply with regular setback standards to the “extent practicable”; and would need to have turbines and generators housed in a shelter to mitigate noise.
