If you want to put up a wind turbine in Columbia you might need an environmental study, shadow analysis and simulated model of what the turbine will look like before you can legally install one.

These stringent permit requirements are part a new draft ordinance that would regulate wind turbines. The ordinance was presented to the Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday night.

City planner Matthew Lepke said the city wanted to craft an ordinance that, if passed, would be useful. He said it was tough to draft an ordinance because there has to be a balance between the... [continue via Web link]