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Residents urge Bertie County to press for ADLS fixes after nearby wind‑farm lights disturb nights
Summary
Multiple residents described constant flashing aviation lights from a neighboring wind farm and asked the board to file complaints, press regulators, and back aircraft‑detection lighting system (ADLS) installation to limit night lighting and protect property and quality of life.
Residents who live along the Chowan River told the Bertie County Board of Commissioners they want the county to take a formal role in pressing regulators and developers to reduce continuous nighttime aviation lighting from a nearby wind farm.
Gail King, who said she lives in Mary Hill, told commissioners the 45 turbines are "the tallest in The United States" and that "we look at them all night long." She described flashing red lights and worried about property values and sleep disruption. King said she had been in contact with Timber Mill Wind, DEQ and the Federal Aviation Administration and urged county support for a technical solution.
Photographer and Mary Hill resident Kate Jordan asked commissioners to file complaints on behalf of residents and to support ADLS — aircraft detection lighting systems that keep turbine lights off until an aircraft is present. "The only solution again, today... is the ADLS lighting," Jordan said, and she left written instructions and a sample complaint link for commissioners and staff.
Other speakers, including a private pilot and longtime riverfront resident, said the lights reflect off water and disrupt night photography, guest stays, and the community's dark‑sky character. Those speakers asked the board to coordinate with adjacent counties and state representatives and to consider a local resolution asking Apex/Timber Mill Wind and relevant agencies to pursue ADLS approvals from the FAA and Defense Department.
Commissioners did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting but acknowledged the concerns and said staff would gather information. The board discussed next steps including communicating with Chowan County officials and asking staff to collect technical and permitting details before formal action.
