County looking at wind energy regs

Credit:  By Melanie Wilkinson, York News-Times, www.yorknewstimes.com 6 January 2010

YORK — The county continues to look into whether zoning regulations should be changed to accommodate future wind energy operations while protecting property owners and farming operations.

Last year, the county added references to wind energy towers to the zoning regulations, for the first time. Now, they say those should possibly be modified.

York Zoning Administrator Orval Stahr told the commissioners during a public hearing this past week it is being proposed that wind energy systems be included in the county’s commercial zones and that the setback regulations be changed regarding their existence on pivot corners.

He said the county’s planning commission is recommending the changes, on a vote of 4-1.

“This came about after I attended a wind energy conference where a representative of Nebraska Public Power District brought up the issues of pivot corners and their concerns about people watching towers instead of their driving,” Stahr said. “But I think people will get used to seeing them. I remember when people would stop to watch pivots run.”

“We knew these regulations would need to be tweaked, because it’s a relatively new issue,” said Commissioner Kurt Bulgrin.

Max Petersen, a member of the county’s planning commission, said he has concerns about changing the regulations before any real interest in erecting such systems has been voiced.

“There’s also the issue of aerial application,” Petersen said. “Would a large wind system cause wind turbulence, for example, when it comes to aerial application of chemicals? Would it adversely affect spray pilots’ operations? There aren’t any applicators here (at the meeting) today, but I’d be a little cautious before making any changes. With all the seed corn production in this area — what if a system would make them not able to aerial applicate on certain pieces of ground? That could be a really bad thing for land owners and the seed corn companies.

“Also, I have questions about property owners’ whose land adjoins a piece where there is a wind system,” Peterson continued. “My concern is how it would impact the guy who doesn’t financially benefit from having it on his neighbor’s land, yet he gets the adverse effects. It’s all new — so maybe you should wait until someone wants to bring a system in. Right now, it’s really not an issue yet.”

“Don’t you think applicators and seed corn companies would be here if they were concerned?” asked Commissioner Steve Neujahr.

“My guess is that they won’t address it until it is a problem,” Peterson said further.

“As far as wind interference with towers, the disruption of air flow is generally about a quarter mile,” Stahr said.

“I would like to see some more information about this,” Peterson said, which seemed to be the consensus of everyone in the room, including the board members.

“Several years ago, there were a number of pilots who came in about cell tower concerns,” said Rex Heiden, the county surveyor. “Back then they were asking the county to limit the number of towers. I guess if a wind grid comes in, you’ll have more pilots come in at that time.”

The hearing was closed and the matter was tabled for two weeks.

Tags: Wind power, Wind energy

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