July 21, 2013
Indiana

A new strategy in turbine fight

Public eye, July 21, 2013 | Kokomo Tribune | kokomotribune.com

With the Howard County commissioners’ decision to amend the economic development agreement for development of the Wildcat Wind Farm, opponents are looking at a new strategy.

Monday, one of the opponents wanted to know if he could push the turbines even farther from his property by acquiring a building permit for a new structure.

His question was apparently connected to a new strategy in which opponents construct outbuildings to limit the area available for the placement of a wind turbine.

But obtaining a building permit is a costly and time-consuming effort. It costs a minimum of $100 to receive a building permit from the Howard County Planning Department. Construction has to start within one year and must be completed within two years. A surveyor usually must provide a legal description and plat map. There are often septic and stormwater requirements.

All of that can push the cost of a permit over $875, which does not include any professional services that would be required such as the hiring of a surveyor, someone to test the soils and a septic system installer.

One opponent, however, said it would be cheaper than hiring an attorney.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/21/a-new-strategy-in-turbine-fight/