By CRAIG FOX
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

A 7-month moratorium on all wind energy projects in the town of Cape Vincent took another step toward becoming a reality on Tuesday afternoon.

The Jefferson County Planning Board reviewed the proposed town-wide moratorium and sent it back to the town as a local concern.

On Feb. 7, instead of at the next regular council meeting Feb. 16, the board plans to pass the moratorium on construction of all "wind power-generating facilities" following a public hearing that starts at 7 p.m. that day at Recreation Park on James Street.

During Tuesday's brief discussion, Planning Board Chairman David W. Prosser asked whether the moratorium "was long enough" for the town to put together an ordinance that would deal with how wind-energy projects should be handled in Cape Vincent.

E. Hartley Bonisteel, community development coordinator, said town officials have assured the county Planning Department that it should be finished by the time the moratorium expires at the end of August. If not, the town board could merely pass an extension.

She also noted the proposed moratorium would be upheld in court, as long as the town gave a purpose and set a reasonable period of time for it.

Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey recently said the town not only will formulate a new wind law, but will review and revise Cape Vincent's zoning law and comprehensive plan while the moratorium is in effect.