The Fayette County Planning Commission Thursday conditionally approved plans to build 22 wind turbines along Chestnut Ridge in Georges and Springhill townships.

Iberdrola Renewables of Portland, Ore., has sought approval for the project from the county zoning hearing board for several years, without success.

Action by county commissioners in June to amend the county zoning ordinance eliminated the need for a special exception for wind turbines.

Previously, a special exception and approval by the zoning hearing board were required to erect wind turbines on land zoned for agricultural and industrial use.

On Friday, Sara Rosiek, director of Fayette County Planning, Zoning and Community Development, said the planning commission granted conditional approval, with five members - Chairman Robert Baker and board members Larry Franks, Michael Benninger, Chip Ciarocchi and Tom McCracken - in favor of the project.

Board member Evelyn Hovanec abstained.

Gary Verkleeren, who is employed by Iberdrola, recused himself from the discussion and abstained from voting.

Members Edward Andria and Louis Agostini were absent.

Among the conditions that must be met before the plans receive final approval, Rosiek said, are a highway occupancy permit from PennDOT and a storm-water management plan approved through the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"They will need to bring those documents to me," Rosiek said. "The next step would be to get zoning certificates for the wind turbines."

"Those are pending items we have been working on," Verkleeren said yesterday.

"I'm certainly pleased to be one step closer to bringing this important, beneficial project on-line, which we expect to do in 2010," he said.

"Despite setbacks we have had," he said, "we know there is overwhelming support for these projects."

Iberdrola now has long-term leases with all involved property owners, Verkleeren said.

Iberdrola, formerly PPM Atlantic, intends to invest $100 million in the project that could provide energy for 17,000 mid-Atlantic homes, Verkleeren said.

The turbines would be constructed over a 3.5-mile section of Chestnut Ridge, including four turbines in Wharton Township. Wharton has its own zoning board and previously approved those plans.

Iberdrola recently appealed a decision by the zoning hearing board that granted 14 requests for special exceptions, but denied eight.

Judge Steve Leskinen is hearing that appeal.

The board of commissioners plans a public hearing for 1:45 p.m. Oct. 22 to discuss the ordinance change, followed by a special meeting to consider action. The vote originally passed 2-1, with Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink voting against the change.

Such hearings are standard practice after planning commission recommendations, Commissioner Chairman Vincent Zapotosky said.