News

Generator part of a 'green building' project currently called Windmill Market

By Mike Odom
Staff Writer
Fairhope Courier

Fairhope, Ala. - The Board of Adjustments approved the location of a wind generator in downtown Fairhope this week that will be part of an open air market at the corner of Bancroft Street and Equality Avenue.

Last month, the board gave a special use permit for the market that will house booths for some 45 vendors of locally produced arts, crafts and produce, according to city records.

On Monday, the board voted unanimously to give Mac and Gina Walcott a special use permit to allow the installation of a 35-foot wind generator that will power lights and other electrical needs at the facility.

"We plan to open on the first Friday in October," Mac Walcott said. "We are delighted that the city has supported a wind generator in downtown Fairhope."

Questions were raised during the board's meeting last month about the noise created by the wind generator. The Walcotts withdrew the request for the wind generator in order to provide additional information to the board.

Three members of the board traveled to Gulf Shores on June 30 to observe a similar wind generator at a restaurant there.

"The wind on that particular day was not strong enough to power the wind generator," the minutes from the June board meeting stated. "But when asked, several employees at Lulu's stated that they do not typically notice any noise coming from the wind generator, with the exception of some 'squeaking' from time to time."

Since last month's meeting, Mac Walcott provided the board with information showing the possible decibel levels of the proposed wind generator.

He said the noise produced would probably not be heard above the ambient noise of the wind itself.

At Monday's meeting, the board approved the Walcotts request but changed the height from 40 to 35 feet and stated that the wind generator would have to comply with any new noise ordinances that the city might adopt.

Last week, the city imposed a 60-day moratorium on enforcement of the current noise ordinance in response to complaints made about two bars and restaurants that are located in the same block as the new open air market. While the moratorium is in place, the city will study the issue and decide whether to modify its noise ordinances.

"The working name right now is the Windmill Market," said Walcott, regarding what the open air market will be called. "The building will be a teaching tool showing its various 'green building' features."

Walcott said Watershed, a new firm associated with his architecture business, provided the consulting services to ensure the building will be certified according to its energy efficient features.

"It's also to get us thinking differently about how buildings can be constructed," said Walcott, regarding one of the purposes of the open air market facility. "And it's also to show other ways for how commerce can work."