www.windaction.org | Zoning/Planning

Colrain seeks hold on wind, solar farms
February 26, 2012 by Diane Broncaccio in The Recorder

The Colrain Planning Board is asking the town to put a temporary hold on special permit applications for commercial-scale windmill and solar farms until the board has had a chance to study the possible impact of such projects.

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Foxboro to study wind power
February 26, 2012 by Frank Mortimer in Sun Chronicle

The board initially considered a wind turbine article largely drafted by Kraft Group attorney John Twohig ..."They voted no action because the installation, siting and adjustment of wind turbines is a quickly evolving science and one that they still had significant concerns about, particularly as to the impacts on abutters and nearby residents," Wason said.

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Weir protesters celebrate as 'windfarm' plans are thrown out
February 22, 2012 by Stuart Pike in Manchester Evening News

"Let this be a lesson to people who want to come into our Valley. We are not here to be picked off by wind farms and finance." Bacup councillor Andy MacNae claimed the applicant had done the "minimum possible" at every stage, including in its public consultation and a "derisory" offer of £3,000 per year compensation.

Also filed under [ UK]

Woodford County Board meeting postponed; no agenda posted
February 21, 2012 by Nick Vlahos in Journal Star

The Woodford County Board meeting room was expected to be packed Tuesday night because of an anticipated vote regarding wind farm ordinance revisions. ...A vote on the wind farm ordinance revisions is the final step in a lengthy process that has at times been contentious, both within the board and outside of it.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

Sinton trustees vote unanimously to seek contract for construction of wind turbines at high school
February 21, 2012 by Mark Collette in Corpus Christi Caller Times

The Sinton Independent School District will move forward with plans to build two wind turbines at the high school campus despite the city's rejection of zoning variances for the project last week.

Also filed under [ Texas]

Delaware Township adopts rules regulating wind energy systems
February 17, 2012 by Renee Kiriluk-Hill in Hunterdon Democrat

It sets parameters for permitting, installation and potential abandonment. For instance, setbacks will be based upon a wind tower's height. Those 35 feet tall or shorter will be held to general township setback requirements, while those 35 to 70 feel tall will require a setback twice the township standard. Systems 105 to 120 feet will need a setback four times the township standard.

Also filed under [ New Jersey]

Duxbury Selectmen don’t recommend changes to wind facilities bylaw proposed by citizen
February 16, 2012 by Kathryn Gallerani in Wicked Local Duxbury

Hounds Ditch Lane resident Joanne Levesque took issue with Goldenberg's summary of the state study ...She said the panel that conducted the study indicated that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that wind turbines do or do not have an effect on health. "My fear is you're relying on a committee that wants to deny there is a problem with wind turbines and health impacts."

Also filed under [ Impact on People| Massachusetts]

Wind farm concerns aired in Floyd County
February 1, 2012 by Jeff Sturgeon in Roanoke Times

The Floyd County draft ordinance prohibits the construction, repair or improvement of structures more than 40 feet high on any ridge 2,000 feet or more above sea level and 500 feet or more above an adjacent valley floor, a geographical catchment area that covers much of Floyd County. The ordinance makes an exception for water, radio, telecommunications and television towers.

Also filed under [ Virginia]

Wind test foes are told to list their ideas
January 30, 2012 by Jannaya Andrews in Decatur Daily Democrat

Miller stated that after commissioners have reviewed the group's concerns, a recommendation will be made to the planning commission as to any changes commissioners feel should be addressed.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

Put brakes on wind power?
January 28, 2012 by Diane Broncaccio in The Recorder

Two Franklin County hilltowns are considering moratoriums on windmill proposals to buy time to adopt specific bylaws governing them.

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Woodford County Zoning Board approves wind energy revisions
January 26, 2012 by Nick Vlahos in Journal Star

Major ordinance changes involve the positioning of wind turbines and the shadow their blades cast. Towers would need to be located at least four times their height from residences that aren't part of the wind farm. A typical tower can be taller than 400 feet. Currently, the regulated distance is at least 750 feet.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

Farmington to vote on wind rule
January 25, 2012 by David Robinson in Morning Sentinel

Several of the roughly 15 residents at the meeting voiced concerns that the ordinance didn't provide enough protection against wind turbine noise, claiming other towns have passed ordinances that have stricter regulations on the issue. Farmington officials have been working on an ordinance proposal to regulate wind turbine construction for more than two years.

Also filed under [ Maine]

Bill would allow communities to establish wind turbine setbacks
January 24, 2012 in Wisconsin State Journal

Sen. Frank Lasee, R-Ledgeview, recently introduced a bill that would allow officials in cities, villages, towns and counties to establish the minimum distance between a wind turbine and a home - even if those rules are more restrictive than any the state tries to enact.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Wisconsin]

Wind power ordinance passed in Portland
January 20, 2012 by Vivien Leigh in WCSH 6 News

Under the new ordinance, the city is broken up into different zones from residential to industrial. The residential areas will be the most restrictive, limiting wind turbines to 25 feet and up to 160 feet in industrial areas as long as they meet the setback requirements.

Also filed under [ Maine]

Proposed wind farm guidelines for NSW
January 19, 2012 by Nick Thomas in Association of Corporate Counsel

Draft planning guidelines for wind farms in NSW could make approval processes more complex and time-consuming, set possibly the world's strictest noise standards, and limit opportunities for placing wind turbines within 2km of a residence.

Also filed under [ Impact on People| Australia / New Zealand]

Panel to discuss wind farm setback - at last
January 18, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

The county's current setback distance is 1,400 feet, which is a little more than a quarter mile, the same as Whiteside County's. Some people have said that's too close. At a recent meeting, Zoning Board member Tom Fassler suggested a mile.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

Strong wind ordinance supported
January 13, 2012 by Stacey Tucker in Tuscola County Advertiser

"They were overwhelmingly against placement of wind turbines in the community." One by one, residents stepped forward to share their concerns about windmills constructed near their homes and in their community.

Also filed under [ Michigan]

Bill allows communities more control over wind turbine setbacks
January 6, 2012 by Trent Artus in WQOW TV 8

"Local communities should be able to create their own rules for public safety," Lasee said. "We shouldn't leave it to bureaucrats in Madison to make these decisions that affect home values and people's lives. Madisonites aren't the ones living next to the turbines.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Wisconsin]

Anger after four out of five major wind farms approved by ministers
December 31, 2011 in The Scotsman

Campaigners say they have little faith in the Scottish Government listening to local opinion after figures showed only five major wind farm applications have been turned down in the last four years.

Also filed under [ UK]

Farmington Planning Board to tackle zoning changes, wind turbines
December 31, 2011 by Danielle Curtis in Foster's Daily Democrat

The proposed ordinance applies to wind turbines that have an energy-producing capacity of 100 kilowatts or less and that will be used primarily for on-site energy consumption. ...The systems cannot exceed 30 feet above the average tree line closest to it.

Also filed under [ New Hampshire]