Lynden Township has denied a landowner's request to erect a wind turbine.

The township board voted 2-1 this week not to approve a conditional-use permit for the 120-foot tower. Russ Pearson had proposed installing the wind turbine to produce electricity for his property in the Hidden River addition.

Township supervisors Anne Ackerman and Dave Johnson voted against issuing the permit; Jerry Finch voted for it.

Pearson plans to appeal in court, said Jim Sarcone, vice president of Farm Boy Energy, the Iowa-based company hoping to install the tower.

Pearson is among several Central Minnesota landowners looking to erect small wind turbines to offset their energy costs and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Stearns and Benton counties recently adapted their land-use rules to allow more flexibility for such towers, but some have encountered opposition from local governments and neighbors.

Neighbors had complained that Pearson's tower would block their view and lower their property values.