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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Ind. Gov't - Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission. tweaks wind turbine rules

Justin Mark reports today in a long story in the Lafayette Journal Courier in a long story that begins:

After a modification and nearly two hours of heated discussion, a controversial amendment to the county's wind energy ordinance was recommended for approval Thursday by the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission.

The commission voted 9-1 in favor of the changes after hearing several residents and wind farm developers step out of the crowd of more than 100 to have their say.

Even after the vote, public opinion on the pros and cons of possible future wind farms in Tippecanoe remained intense.

"It divides the community," said Jim Pairitz, who lives near West Point. "I don't like being looked at funny by my neighbors, and I don't like looking at my neighbors funny. I think everyone deserves to be considered fairly."

Wednesday's approved amendment dealt with the issue of setback requirements for proposed wind turbines and the regulation of meteorological towers used for testing atmospheric conditions.

The amendment was altered to state that wind turbines must be placed at least 750 feet away from the property line, and 1,200 feet from a dwelling owned by someone who has not agreed to allow a company's turbines to be built on his or her property.

The setback requirement was eliminated for landowners who have allowed construction of turbines on their properties.

The original setback requirements being considered would have put the turbines at least 1,000 feet away from the property line of non-participating landowners, and 1,000 feet from the dwelling of a participating landowner.

"I believe that (participating landowners) have a contract with developers and we shouldn't be regulating that," said Dave Byers, the commission member who proposed the changes to the amendment.

Prior to Wednesday's vote, tensions were high among residents both for and against bringing turbines to Tippecanoe County.

See also this photo of the crowd listening to speakers at the meeting.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 22, 2010 10:03 AM
Posted to Environment | Indiana Government | Indiana Law