April 11, 2012
Michigan

Redo: Township held wind turbine review too early

By Mary Drier, Staff Writer, Tuscola County Advertiser, www.tuscolatoday.com 10 April 2012

GILFORD – Because of a technical “oversight,” a Gilford Township Planning Commission meeting to consider a special use permit for additional wind turbines will be re-held.
“There is supposed to be a 30-day window to do a review from when the application is received and then acted on,” explained township Supervisor Jim Stockmeyer, noting the meeting was held on the 20th day. “We didn’t realize that until the meeting was under way. It was too soon so a decision couldn’t be made.”
NextEra Energy Resources’ request is to build five more wind turbines in the township.
According to Gilford Township Planning Commission Chair Dennis Richards, the last meeting was still held because it had been posted and it turned into an informational session.
“While we couldn’t make a decision because of the timing, while everyone was there a lot of questions were answered, and information gone over,” said Richards. “There were a few questions that couldn’t be answered because not all of the NextEra people were there.”
So another meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 17 at the Reese School auditorium.
“That way, there will be enough seating and parking,” said Stockmeyer.
Over the last few weeks, the township approved NextEra’s building 63 turbines in the township.
The energy company is looking for a place for some additional turbines because Merritt Township rejected their proposal to build nine in that township.
“They (NextEra) want to build five more (turbines) in our township that were supposed to have been in Merritt,” explained Stockmeyer. “Overall, they want to build 68 here.”
NextEra also plans to build seven in Blumfield Township as part of their wind farm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/11/redo-township-held-wind-turbine-review-too-early/