December 11, 2013
Michigan

Elbridge planners propose new wind turbine ordinance

By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal Writer | December 11, 2013 | shorelinemedia.net

A new wind turbine generator ordinance is making its way to the Elbridge Township Board.

The Elbridge Township Planning Commission recently approved recommending the new ordinance. Planning commission Chairman Bruce Vartian said the proposed ordinance is identical to the Claybanks Township wind turbine generator ordinance except for the township names. The Elbridge planning commission has a public hearing on the proposed ordinance scheduled for Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The proposed ordinance also will have to go before the Oceana County Planning Commission for comment prior to being presented to the township board.

The township first adopted a wind turbine generator ordinance in 2008 after it was approached by Michigan Wind LLC and John Deere Wind Energy to build a $150 million wind farm for the western side of the township on a north-south line approximately one-half mile east of 116th Avenue. Several township residents have since petitioned the board to make the ordinance more stringent. The current ordinance was modeled after a Huron County ordinance, which only required a 1,000-foot setback from residences.

The Claybanks Township setbacks include:

• On a participating property, each wind turbine generator shall be set back from the nearest inhabited structure a distance of no less than 1,500 feet.

Read the full story in OHJ print and e-Editions.

[rest of article available at source]


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/11/elbridge-planners-propose-new-wind-turbine-ordinance/