Ashtabula Township passes wind energy resolution
Gazette News|Eric Hrin|Sep 2, 2026
Ashtabula Township trustees have passed a resolution to declare the area a restricted zone for large and economically significant wind farm projects, citing potential health, safety, and property value concerns. The resolution enables a temporary moratorium on wind projects, allowing time for further study to assess the pros and cons before making any permanent decisions.
Ashtabula Township trustees have passed a resolution to declare the area a restricted zone for large and economically significant wind farm projects, citing potential health, safety, and property value concerns. The resolution enables a temporary moratorium on wind projects, allowing time for further study to assess the pros and cons before making any permanent decisions.
Declares township to be restricted zone, will study the situation
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP – Ashtabula Township trustees are saying “no” to wind projects for now.
At their Aug. 12th meeting, trustees passed a resolution requesting that the Ashtabula County commissioners declare the township to be a restricted zone for large wind farm and economically significant wind farm energy projects.
The resolution states that the trustees have determined that such projects would be a detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the township, and such projects would adversely affect the value of private and public property in the township.
It notes that Section 303.58 of Ohio Revised Code gives the commissioners the ability to adopt a …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Declares township to be restricted zone, will study the situation
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP – Ashtabula Township trustees are saying “no” to wind projects for now.
At their Aug. 12th meeting, trustees passed a resolution requesting that the Ashtabula County commissioners declare the township to be a restricted zone for large wind farm and economically significant wind farm energy projects.
The resolution states that the trustees have determined that such projects would be a detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the township, and such projects would adversely affect the value of private and public property in the township.
It notes that Section 303.58 of Ohio Revised Code gives the commissioners the ability to adopt a resolution designating all or part of the unincorporated area of a county as a restricted area, prohibiting the construction of an economically significant wind farm or a large wind farm.
“The county sent out three different options for resolutions,” Jaymee Vest, zoning inspector for the township said, when asked for comment. “This is the resolution that restricts any/all placement for windmills.”
When asked for comment, Trustee Joseph J. Pete said he wanted the resolution because the township doesn’t know a lot about the wind projects.
“Because we don’t know anything about them,” he said. “We heard a lot of detrimental things about them.”
Pete said he has heard that they could be dangerous to birds. He’s also heard that they’re expensive to repair.
“We’re afraid they may be left aside if they can’t fix them,” he said. “We’re going to study the windmill situation, just to make sure. Maybe it’s a good thing, maybe it’s not. We won’t let anybody put anything up right now, maybe in the future. We’ll study the situation.”
For now, he said there’s a moratorium on the wind projects, pending further study.
“The trustees, we’re going to find out the good points and the bad points,” Pete said. “The trustees will probably make a study and we’ll talk to other townships. It’s not something we should rush into.” He added that the commissioners wanted input.
According to the resolution, it shall be in force and effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law.