DIXON - The winds of approval blew east Tuesday as the Lee County Board sanctioned 18 potential wind turbines, leaving DeKalb County the last word on the project's remaining 132 turbines.

If DeKalb County gives its OK, the turbines will be built in Alto and Willow Creek townships in Lee County's northeastern corner.

NextEra Energy Resources, the company leading the project, said the turbines would be erected this summer, with a targeted completion date in December.

Board member Dick Binder opposed the plan, citing a need to limit how many turbines the county can host before advancing another project.

"With our plan, it will become difficult to limit the possible, uncontrolled expansion of wind turbines," he said. "At what point, at what number, do you think that approving more wind turbines without a plan may be a possible deterrent to the county and its residents?"

John Ferrone, who also voted against approval, nonetheless disagreed that the county should limit its total number of turbines. That decision should be made by landowners, he said.

"If he says no [to building a turbine on his property], our conversation's over with. If he says yes, are we going to be Big Brother and say, ‘You're not going to get them?' I don't think I want to get into government that big. We're too big right now."

The special-use permit was approved, 22-5. Board members Allyn Buhrow, Ray Harrison and Jerry Leffelman also voted against approval.

According to the DeKalb Daily Chronicle, a public hearing on the project Thursday will be followed by a recommendation to the DeKalb County Board. Its county zoning and planning committee likely will hear the proposal in March, which could be followed by a final OK from the county board in April.