At its proposed height, the windmill would rise above unstable ground winds and produce electricity at its full capability, said Tim Fluharty of Fluharty's Electric on the Eastern Shore. His company has built windmills on the Eastern Shore in the past year, he said.
Most Maryland counties do not have specific rules for windmills.
In neighboring Carroll County, officials recently changed its zoning ordinance to allow property owners to erect up to two 150-foot windmills.
Like Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Baltimore County treats a windmill as it does a shed or a garage. Baltimore County homeowners must obtain the county's permission before constructing an accessory structure taller than 15 feet, Bostwick said.
The Antonellis also plan to include barns for horses and cows, pasture, fields for crops, an orchard, a vineyard, a vegetable garden and forested areas on the property. They hope that using the solar panels, the geothermal system and the windmill will enable them to generate all of the electricity they need for their home.
"All my friends are really excited about [the plans for the home]," said the couple's other daughter, Gina Antonelli, 20, a junior at Loyola College. "We hope that this might spark others' interest in alternative energy sources."
As a light breeze blew one morning last week, the Antonellis met with Ed Wheeler, the owner of C.E. Wheeler custom and estate home builders, who is overseeing the project. The proposed spot for the windmill is now marked by a wooden post in a wheat field.
"Hopefully we'll set a new norm," said Laura Antonelli. "When people build houses, they'll look for a good place to put a windmill."
julie.scharper@baltsun.com
