Elbridge OKs wind turbine ordinance; Measure passes 3-2

In a 3-2 vote Aug. 7, Elbridge Township officials approved a zoning amendment to allow for wind turbine generators.

Supervisor Walt Wheeler, Clerk Stephanie VanSickle and Trustee Eric Herrygers voted ‘yes' and Trustee Paul Cutter and Treasurer Renee Vanderlaan said ‘no.' Vanderlaan and Cutter said after the meeting that they wanted the ordinance to limit the number of generators to be built in the township.

While the new ordinance will become law once it's published, it might have to go on hold as many, including Herrygers and Cutter, want the law to go to a public vote. Registered voters have seven days to petition the township for the referendum, but to get the request on the November ballot, a petition with 52 signatures needs to be turned in by Aug. 26 or a special election might have to be scheduled.

The move wraps up a whirlwind of activity in the township over the last six weeks. Michigan Wind LLC in conjunction with John Deere Wind Energy proposes a $150 million, 30 turbine generator wind farm for the western side of the township on a north-south line approximately one-half mile east of 116th Avenue. The units would be owned and operated by John Deere Wind Energy.

During public comments resident Don Wierenga said he thinks the ordinance should limit the number of generators to 30 during a phase one construction project. He also wants the issue to go to a public vote, saying more zoning amendments could be made if the public wanted more turbines.

Resident Dale Smith wanted to know if any of the board members had leased land with Michigan Wind. Wheeler said he leased land so the developers can meet the 5,000-acre pool they need for the project, but has not entered into any agreements to put a turbine on any of his land. VanSickle said she has family members who have leased.

Prior to the special meeting, the ordinance received the Oceana County Planning Commission's blessing in a unanimous vote. Wheeler told the county planners the Elbridge ordinance is identical, except for one line, to one in Huron County where John Deere Wind Energy and Michigan Wind LLC built a 32 turbine wind farm last year. The only difference, Wheeler said, is that the Elbridge ordinance requires the company to bury any transmission lines a minimum of 4 feet.

County planning member Larry Byl suggested Elbridge Township look at Claybanks Township's provision for privately owned wind turbines, then encouraged Elbridge officials to continue their efforts.

"In an area with low residential density and high rolling hills, it makes all the sense," Byl said.

Byl also said it doesn't appear the township rushed to pass an ordinance as many other townships have researched wind turbine generators for the last five years.

Wierenga questioned a statement Wheeler made Aug. 1 that the state legislature is considering bills that would take control over wind turbine farms away from local communities if they didn't have their own ordinance. Wierenga said he spoke to both Representative Goeff Hansen and state Senator Gerald VanWoerkom, and they related to him that the chances of the bills passing were nil to none. He wanted Wheeler to retract his statement. Wheeler wouldn't do it.

County Administrator Paul Inglis said the senate version has peremptory language over local zoning, but the house bill did not. He said the legislature will have to work on new versions when they reconvene. County planning member Jake Whelpley pointed out the current versions have been sitting in the legislature for a long time.