An application for wind farm construction was approved Wednesday by the McDonough County Board. Capital Power intends to break ground next year on its Cardinal Pointe project in McDonough and Warren counties.

Zoning/Planning Illinois

One of the two wind turbines under a court order never to operate at their current spot may spin again on the wastewater treatment plant property, a little less than a half mile north from where it now stands. Accomplishing the move, however, would cost the town just over $3 million and isn’t likely to appease critics of the turbine’s current location.

Impact on People Zoning/Planning Massachusetts

During public comment before the vote, Friends of the Huron Mountains (FOHM) president Burt Mason questioned the township board’s decision to allow to L’Anse village residents on the township planning board. ...Mason also said the vote to lower the minimum blade clearance is illegal because the resolution wasn’t part of the public hearing held on Sept. 27.

Zoning/Planning Michigan

The county drafted updates that included definitions about turbines, exact zoning districts, setbacks, noise levels, potential abandonment of the turbine, and a variety of other zoning issues relating to installation of the turbines. ..."I mean, to leave it the way it was was pretty general, and they could probably be able to come in and do anything they wanted. So this does offer some restrictions.”

Zoning/Planning Michigan

From Sulphur Springs east to Mount Summit and Mooreland as well as other small towns throughout the county, wheels are turning to ensure future wind turbines won’t be. Tuesday night, patrons again spoke out against proposed wind turbines at the Sulphur Springs Town Board meeting. 

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Zoning/Planning Michigan

As members of the Adair County Supervisor consider a more comprehensive ordinance on wind turbines, the ordinance in Cass County focuses solely on assessment.

Zoning/Planning Iowa

After months or work on a proposed ordinances to regulate wind turbines in Sherwood Township, the Planning Commission, Wednesday night, will hold another special public hearing.

Zoning/Planning Michigan

“Our first priority is to get this document amended and updated and hopefully make it a stronger document for the residents of rural Morgan County. That is our number one position right now and number one goal, and we have stated with that, that we will not accept an application until this process is done.

Zoning/Planning Illinois

While members of the Adair County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Wednesday morning related to where wind turbines could be located, discussion on the topic is expected to continue during their next meeting where they will discuss creating a even more comprehensive ordinance.

Zoning/Planning Iowa

Plans for a wind farm in northern Gage and southern Lancaster counties that failed to materialize may be resurrected by a different company. The Blue Prairie Wind Project, an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, is proposing to build a wind energy generation facility in the two counties.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

Members of the Adair County Supervisors hope to have an ordinance to consider during their next meeting on Wednesday, following discussions in meetings last week about wind turbines. Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer said Friday that citizens started coming to supervisor meetings last summer, “concerned about the large amount of windmills coming into the county, and our county did not have an ordinance related to the citing  of wind turbines.”

Zoning/Planning Iowa

Adair County is moving forward with a plan to restrict wind turbines in the county. Wind turbines have been a contentious issue there for a while now. KCCI's Chris Gothner has details.

Zoning/Planning Iowa

A resident filed an enforcement action request (June 2018) alleging Wind 2 violates Chapter 240 Section 3B of the Falmouth Zoning Bylaw (the local provision copied from M.G.L. c. 40A, s. 7).

Legal Zoning/Planning Massachusetts

It limits the ban to commercial wind energy convergence systems, while allowing landowners to build noncommercial and micro wind turbines in certain circumstances, specifying rules depending on the structure’s size. At the same time, the changes also attempt to provide more legal justification for banning commercial wind farms, such as potential impacts on “the health, safety, and general welfare” of Pulaski County residents, along with property values.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

“A lot of this is not in compliance with our Chapter 155 ordinance that we passed,” Commissioners president Jim Fulwider said. “If we’re not going to stand behind an ordinance that we put in place, then why make ordinances if we’re not going to stand behind them? ... The proposed agreements are not in compliance with Chapter 155 and are not in the best interest of Montgomery County and our citizens. I will expect full compliance with Chapter 155. As Commissioner I take this seriously and will use all legal methods to protect the people.” 

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Hartke said a 1,500-foot setback from homes — or 2,250-foot setback, for that matter — would allow for encroachment issues, as non-participating landowners would be limited on the use of their land because some of it would be in the so-called “hazard zone.” “I think my children should be able to play in our yard — if I own five acres or 20 — and hang out at the creek at the back of our property and not be in this hazard area,” Hartke said.

Zoning/Planning Illinois

Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday requesting county commissioners adopt a moratorium on the acceptance of any applications for wind turbines and related equipment.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Ken Walker proposed the following phrase be added to page 104: “With the current shift in attitude, the county will not allow any new wind development.” The “shift in attitude” refers to the May 2017 vote, where voters in county-zoned municipalities turned down two new wind energy developments by a 2 to 1 margin.

Zoning/Planning Michigan

Members of the Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission are looking to change the county’s wind energy regulations. ...All the counties also have similar regulations for commercial wind energy systems. However, towers in Adams County shall not exceed 300 feet for the tower and 400 feet for the entire structure.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska