The store is planning to build the turbine tower, as well as a separate solar panel, to be demonstration models for customers, while at the same time generating electricity for the store, said Gregory Lang, the chief operating officer of Solera Energies the company building the turbine. Customers will be able to order the products through the TSC stores.
The store applied to Adjala-Tosorontio council to modify its current site plan agreement to allow for construction of the tower. Township director of growth development Jim Hosick said the land's zoning allowed the construction, but council was hesitant to let the project move forward so quickly. While council seemed to generally support the concept, they were concerned about the reaction from nearby residents.
At Monday night's council meeting, Deputy Mayor Doug Little said he wants to make sure neighbours are aware of what TSC is planning to build. He said some might have complaints about noise, size, or other problems that could come with the tower, and he wants the builders to address them.
"I'd feel a lot more comfortable if the neighbours were notified of this. Let's fix the problem before it starts," said Little. "These questions are going to come up."
The township sent residents living near the store a letter notifying them of the proposal.
The turbine and solar panel are part of a four-store initiative by TSC to promote alternative, renewable sources of energy. A solar panel has already been installed in Collingwood, and the fixtures are also planned for Orangeville and Owen Sound.
The tower will primarily be used as a demonstration model to sell the system. Lang said the TSC location does not generally have enough wind to warrant a turbine, and that it will provide about 10 per cent of the electricity needed to power the store.
"There are a lot of people interested in renewable energy over all. What we want to do in Alliston is lead by example," said Scott Bennett from TSC Stores. "We'd like to educate customers about renewable energies,
Mary and Albert Hrassnig live on the 7th Concession directly across the road from the proposed tower. They are concerned about the impact it will have on their view, and their property value.
"The solar panels are not obtrusive, (the tower) is an eyesore. If you have a 100-acre farm and you want to put it up, then fine, but beside our home, no. This is still a residential neighbourhood."
The 30-metre tower is designed for homes, and is significantly smaller than the 115-metre industrial-sized towers near Shelburne. By comparison, the cellular phone tower on Dean Drive, on the north side of Highway 89, is about 60-metres tall.
Lang said the tower is not very loud, only about five decibels above regular background noise.
"With the car traffic on Highway 89, you wouldn't hear the turbine," he said.
The Hrassnigs have lived in their home for 31 years and have seen a lot of change along the Highway 89 corridor west of Alliston. This is not the first time they've had an issue with TSC. The store was originally built on land zoned as agricultural, because township council and staff deemed the business was farm-related.
When TSC later applied to have the building re-zoned commercial, after it was built, several neighbours came forward with complaints over bright lights being left on during night, and an increase in traffic on the road.
Hrassnig said TSC has generally addressed the concerns with the lights, but there is still a lot of traffic. The Hrassnigs said what started with a farm supply store is now snowballing, and they're concerned with what could come next.
"That's why they didn't even need (zoning) to build the place, because they sold farm equipment. What does this have to do with farming?" said Albert Hrassnig.
Council deferred decision on the tower until residents can meet with TSC representatives.
