Fayette County commissioners took no action following a hearing to make revisions to an ordinance that permits commercial and residential windmills and wind turbines as a permitted use, rather than by special exception, in areas zoned agricultural, light industrial or heavy industrial.

Commissioners had approved the ordinance in June, but attorney Richard Bower, representing Iberdrola Renewables of Portland, Ore., said the ordinance required some minor revisions.

Specifically, the ordinance now indicates that a windmill or turbine shall not exceed 300 feet, defines participating and nonparticipating properties and clarifies the recording of consent requirements. "Participating property is defined as property upon which is located a wind turbine or any associated facilities pursuant to an agreement with the wind turbine owner or operator. Nonparticipating property is any property except participating property," the ordinance states.

Bower said before any wind turbine can be placed, 16 state and federal agencies including the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Fish and Wildlife Commission and PennDOT must give approval.

Bower stressed the hearing was not about Iberdrola's wind project planned for a 3.5 mile area of Chestnut Ridge, "but for many, many projects that may come through. The focus is on the adoption of the amendment."

Gary Verkleeren, senior business developer with Iberdrola, said renewable energy is important to the county, to the state and to the nation.

"Fayette County has a lot of miles of ridge line, but the vast majority is owned or controlled by the state," he said.

Ohiopyle, Forbes State Forest and state game lands would not be affected by the ordinance.

"The proposed ordinance amendment would have very little effect on state land," Verkleeren noted, adding that one project is operational in the county -- the Mill Run Project on Laurel Ridge, on the Somerset County line.

Verkleeren said the eastern half of the county, where most of the forests are, is largely state land. "They are not open to development of wind power."

"We've invested several million dollars in developing a project in Fayette County. You can't afford to be denied at the local level," he continued. "Local businesses, contractors and suppliers stand to benefit. We employ four people in this county to date. There will be hundreds of millions to invest in this county."

Neil Brown said the majority of the project will be on his property. He runs a clearing business. "The longer the project is delayed, more people will lose jobs," he said.

Verkleeren said wind turbines would have very little impact in the county "because of state-owned property. Fayette County has a very limited capacity to create wind power."

Several county residents expressed objections to wind power.

Jacqueline Hinchliiffe said the 3.5 mile project would "generate less than 1 percent of the power of Hatfield."

Bower said the ordinance deals with subsequent projects. "No one has said this is to replace Hatfield Power Plant."

She also wondered about the zoning impact on forest lands.

Verkleeren reiterated that the eastern half of the county, where most of the forests are, is largely state land. "They are not open to development of wind power."

Anthony DeFazio asked, "What would be the benefit for me, my children and my grandchildren? No one has said what material the windmills are made of."

He did not receive a response and left the hearing.

Thomas Bozek III said, "I do object to wind turbines being a permitted use in A-1 (agricultural). I'm a property owner adjacent to the project. If any operations affect adjacent people, that's a problem. Wind projects as a special exception need to go through the Zoning Hearing Board. I think the people in this county have a right to know what's going on around them."

Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink asked why Bozek would object to turbines being a permitted use.

"Any adjacent property owner would have no say," he replied.

Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky said, "Sixteen government bodies have to approve the project before it can get started."

Bower said the Fayette County Planning and Development Office has procedures to combat any problems. He said the present project has received all state and federal agency approval.

"He's requesting it to stay under a special exception," Zimmerlink said. "The Zoning Hearing Board made them a permitted use on July 23. This hearing is to correct procedural errors. Even though this board is to make it a permitted use, the hearing is to clarify."

Commissioners will vote on the proposed amendment at a special meeting to be scheduled or at their Nov. 19 meeting.