Wind turbine law up for Hart Twp. public hearing Monday
Oceana's Herald Journal|April 6, 2006
Hart Township residents will be next to voice their thoughts on a proposed wind turbine generator ordinance.
Hart Township residents will be next to voice their thoughts on a proposed wind turbine generator ordinance.
The township planning commission has scheduled a 7 p.m. public hearing for next Monday, April 10, at the township hall to take public input on the proposed zoning amendment. The township currently does not have any wind turbine generator regulations in its zoning ordinance.
Township Supervisor and zoning Administrator Jay McGhan said the township was approached by wind turbine companies and several landowners in the last year, wanting to know what regulations it had. Because the township did not have any, McGhan said the township would have been at the mercy of any developer wanting to build wind turbine generators.
“So I needed to get something in gear,” McGhan said.
Under the proposed ordinance, turbines would be allowed in …
The township planning commission has scheduled a 7 p.m. public hearing for next Monday, April 10, at the township hall to take public input on the proposed zoning amendment. The township currently does not have any wind turbine generator regulations in its zoning ordinance.
Township Supervisor and zoning Administrator Jay McGhan said the township was approached by wind turbine companies and several landowners in the last year, wanting to know what regulations it had. Because the township did not have any, McGhan said the township would have been at the mercy of any developer wanting to build wind turbine generators.
“So I needed to get something in gear,” McGhan said.
Under the proposed ordinance, turbines would be allowed in agriculture-residential zones as special uses. The ordinance would require setbacks to be 1.25 times tower heights from residences, adjacent property lines and public road right-of-ways, but it does not cap height. Sound would be restricted to 60 decibels from the nearest property line. It also addresses accessory buildings, security fencing and abandoned towers and removal.
If approved by the planning commission, the proposal would go to the township board. The public hearing is Monday, regular planning commission meeting is Tuesday, and the regular township board meeting is Wednesday, April 12.