Talking points defined for wind farm review
Staff writer
After listening to wind farm opponents talk at Monday’s meeting, county commissioners gave planning director Sharon Omstead a list of things they want the planning and zoning commission to review before it suggests new regulations for wind farms in the county.
Two weeks ago, commissioners voted to impose a one-year moratorium during which the county would not accept applications for conditional-use permits to build wind turbines.
Sunflower Wind farm, owned by Orsted, has been talking with landowners to obtain lease agreements to install towers in four southwest Marion County townships.
Most comments from Goessel-area residents Monday were repeats of things they had said at earlier meetings, but they asked that their issues be part of planners’ review.
Brian Stucky claimed that Hillsboro’s municipal airport would need to be shut down if turbines were installed in the Goessel area.
Quentin Guhr said Internet and cell phone reception could be degraded. He works from home three days a week, and his wife has been known to go into anaphylactic shock.
“I need to know if we have an emergency I can reach first responders when I need them,” Guhr said.
Omstead told commissioners that the subject has many layers.
“We will completely review the entire set of regulations,” Omstead said.
County counsel Brad Jantz agreed.
“We’re going to get into some complexities,” county counsel Jantz said. “Decommissioning is a big deal down the road, and it should be.”
Commissioners told Omstead to review population, other counties’ resolutions, water usage and quality, decommissioning, and environmental studies.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said the commission should keep in mind that some landowners were in favor of wind farms and other opposed.
“You also have quality of life vs. economics,” Jantz said.
Omstead asked whether the planning commission should hire an engineer to help. She said she wasn’t sure her department had the budget to hire one.
Jantz recommended gathering as much information as possible from sources that would provide information free.
Omstead told wind farm opponents the planning commission would not take up the subject at its next meeting. The first time will be taken up is likely be a meeting later in October.