September 16, 2010
Illinois

Libertyville wind turbine moratorium extended

By ED COLLINS Special to The News-Sun, www.suburbanchicagonews.com 15 September 2010

Village trustees have extended their moratorium on the construction, installation and operation of wind turbines for another six-months.

It is the board’s third six-month extension in resolving the issue.
The first, initiated in August 2009, was renewed for another six months in February 2010. This third renewal is good until February 2011.

John Spoden, director of community development, told the board Tuesday night the renewal was necessary since the Wind Energy Task Force of Lake County continues its work in developing a proposed model ordinance that all county communities can draw upon when considering wind turbine requests.

“The model ordinance is currently being considered by a subcommittee of the Lake County Board and may be considered by the full County Board in October,” Spoden indicated.
He pointed out that without the moratorium it was important to keep in mind that other zoning applications could be filed for turbine construction during the period that amendments are being considered by the Plan Commission and the Village Board. Hence, renewal of the moratorium is appropriate, he said.

The proposed ordinance would not restrict the use of wind turbines that were lawfully installed prior to the effective date of the ordinance, Spoden pointed out.
Libertyville’s board has been proceeding cautiously in developing zoning criteria for wind turbines after residential neighbors complained of Aldridge Electric’s 140-foot, 50-kilowatt wind turbine installed last year as a demonstration project.

The neighbors have called the turbine a public nuisance, maintaining the constant whine of the industrial turbine, flicker shadows and other annoyances have had a detrimental impact on their residential life style. The squabble is now in Lake County Circuit Court.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/16/libertyville-wind-turbine-moratorium-extended/