March 11, 2008
Illinois
Illinois
An ordinance concerning wind energy systems will be placed on file when the Grundy County Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in the county administration center.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, the Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals will review a proposed new section to the zoning ordinance making wind energy systems a conditional use in all zoning districts.
According to the proposal, the ordinance would regulate utility-scale wind energy systems in order to preserve and protect natural resources, including forests and streams.
It will also control development of wind energy systems to ensure quality of life for adjacent property owners and prevent any deterioration in public health and safety.
Under standards in the proposed ordinance, the height of any wind turbine, including blades, would be limited to 200 feet unless specifically allowed by the county board. Blades at their lowest point must be at least 35 feet from the ground.
Setbacks for any wind turbine would be a minimum of 750 feet from any inhabited structures on adjacent properties, 1,000 feet from the high water mark of any navigable river, 1,000 feet from public parks and 600 feet from public conservation lands.
Applicants would also be required to hire a third party to determine the impact of the turbines on the environment, wildlife, historical or cultural sites and take appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse effects.
In other matters, the board will act on ‘D’ Construction’s bid of $420,993 for storm sewer work along Rice Road.
A rezoning request from Robert and Elizabeth Trotter will be placed on file.
They are seeking to rezone from agriculture to agriculture-residential about 15 acres on Gorman Road, south of Whitetie Road, in Goose Lake Township.
The plan calls for five single family lots of 1.85 acres each.
Board members will consider acting on hiring for the sheriff’s department, rescinding the property tax abatement for Navastone, and providing an abatement for the residence of the surviving spouse of a fallen police officer or rescue worker.
Resolutions declaring March as American Red Cross month and support for the Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District will be presented.
At the end of the meeting, the board will go into closed session to discuss negotiations, real estate and litigation.
Any action will be taken in open session.
10 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/11/grundy-county-board-county-will-move-to-regulate-wind-energy/