April 2, 2013
Indiana
Indiana
Commissioners send wind farm amendment back to Plan Commission, recommend prohibiting commercial wind systems
By Kathy Bottorff | April 1, 2013 | am1050.comBy Kathy Bottorff | April 1, 2013 | am1050.com
By Kathy Bottorff | April 1, 2013 | am1050.comBy Kathy Bottorff | April 1, 2013 | am1050.com
During their meeting Monday the Marshall County Commissioners asked the County Attorney to draft a resolution to send to the County Plan Commission.
During the discussion Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said, “It kind of bothered me when I saw the recommendation from the Plan Commission on all the half mile set-back; from lake and residential communities, from the home of any non-participating land owner, from public parks, wetlands, churches, school buildings, and from any river.” He continued, “When you add in the airport restrictions and look at our density it just doesn’t seem like proper use of a property for a commercial wind farm system.”
Commissioner Jack Roose said, I’m disappointed that they heard nothing in the public meetings from other wind farm companies interested in Marshall County or folks who are interested in allowing the commercial turbines on their ground.” He continued, “Although we represent those folks in Marshall County who support the turbines, we are only hearing from those who oppose them.”
The Marshall County Plan Commission conducted a public meeting on February 28th to consider major amendments to the county’s current wind ordinance. The meeting was nearly standing room only with citizens primarily opposed to the turbines. In their March meeting the Plan Commission spent nearly 2 hours looking at each suggested amendment as proposed by the Concerned Property Owners of Marshall County. The Plan Commission sent their recommendations on to the County Commissioners for consideration at their March 18th meeting when the public again had an opportunity to speak for or against in the public forum. After hearing the comments and gathering additional information the commissioners table action on the proposed amendment to allow them time to review the material gathered.
On Monday Commissioner Overmyer said, “I feel like the Plan Commission wanted up (commissioners) to be the heavy in this.” He continued, “The community here in Marshall County is a very diverse community but I just don’t see a commercial wind farm system being in Marshall County.”
The three commissioners unanimously motioned to have County Attorney Jim Clevenger draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance to send back to the County Plan Commission asking them to prohibiting commercial wind systems in Marshall County. The Plan Commission will consider their zoning amendment at their April meeting and it is anticipated that the commissioners will consider their recommendation at their May 6th meeting.