The company that has been working since 2006 to build a wind farm on 20,212 acres west of Shelley has withdrawn its permit application with Bingham County's planning and zoning department.

The wind farm isn't being abandoned altogether, though.

""We will be refiling a new application,"" project manager Randy Gardner said. ""We're trying to correct any areas of concern, and we're hoping it goes much more smoothly.""

Ridgeline's plans have run into fierce opposition.

The Bingham County planning commission approved a special-use permit for the 150-turbine project more than a year ago, but critics appealed.

When county commissioners upheld the planning board's decision, opponents filed a petition asking a judge to review the case.

In August, retired District Court Judge Richard St. Clair ruled that the planning commission and county commissioners had erroneously approved Ridgeline's permit.

In his ruling, St. Clair said two planning and zoning commissioners - both of whom voted for the permit - had conflicts of interest, that the Bureau of Land Management hadn't approved Ridgeline's proposal to construct a portion of the turbine project on its land, and that the commissioners committed a procedural error.

After the ruling, Ridgeline officials considered keeping their original permit application and going before the county's planning and zoning commission again.

The company decided, however, to submit a new application addressing St. Clair's points.

""It was easier to refile an application than it was to address those areas of concern,"" Gardner said, adding that the size of the project will change.

In response to the flap over Wolverine's plans, Bingham County officials are reworking their zoning ordinances to address wind farms.

Bingham County is holding a public hearing today in Shelley on the proposed changes.

Melodie Halstead, the county's planning and zoning administrator, said Ridgeline's new application will have to comply with the new zoning laws.

Gardner, however, said Bingham County's plans to update its zoning laws have no bearing on when it files a new application.

""We will not wait,"" he said. ""We will refile when we are ready.""

Did you know?

You can pick up a copy of Bingham County's proposed zoning ordinance changes at the county's planning and zoning department, located at 501 N. Maple St.

If you go

What: Public hearing on Bingham County's proposed zoning ordinance changes

When: 4 p.m. today

Where: Shelley City Hall, 101 S. Emerson Ave.
October 15, 2009