January 25, 2015
Illinois

Boone County Board to hear proposal for bigger distances for wind turbines

By Susan Vela | Rockford Register Star | Posted Jan. 24, 2015 | www.rrstar.com

BELIVIDERE – The great wind-turbine-setback debate is back on in Boone County.

Residents David Cleverdon and Karen Kenney will approach the Boone County Zoning Board of Appeals with a proposal Tuesday to increase the 1,000-foot distance requirement between wind turbines and primary structures.

The new proposed separation is “not less than 2,640 feet, or 6.5 times the height” of the towers, including the blades at the highest point, whichever is greater.

Cleverdon plans to discuss the health and safety issues associated with wind turbines when the panel reviews an ordinance amendment at 7 p.m. in the Boone County Board room, 1212 Logan Ave.

“It has to do with sleep deprivation,” he said, referring to the potential noise from the turbines. “Lack of sleep really can screw you up.”

Boone County officials voted, after a spirited debate, in early 2014 against increasing the minimum setback distance from 1,000 feet.

Kathy Miller, Boone County’s interim planning director, said staff members already plan to recommend that the board reject the proposed increase.

Critics had raised health, safety and welfare concerns in response to an Irish company’s interest in building a $300 million to $400 million wind farm in Manchester and LeRoy townships.

“Nothing has changed since the last time that it was submitted,” Miller said.

Roxann Grenlund of Capron hopes that the zoning board supports the recommended denial, saying the proposed distance requirement would be “an extreme setback.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/25/boone-county-board-to-hear-proposal-for-bigger-distances-for-wind-turbines/