January 12, 2016
Arkansas

Company still working to build wind farm in NWA

Elite Energy wants to move forward with plan | Jan 12, 2016 | www.4029tv.com

A representative from Elite Energy requested advice from a local city on moving forward with a controversial wind farm project. Elm Springs Mayor Harold Douthit said Cody Fell, a representative with the energy company, attended Monday night’s planning commission meeting.

Elite Energy owns the land where a Texas-based company is looking to build a wind farm. The property sits just west of the Elm Springs city limits. Originally Elite Energy was seeking to rezone the property from Agricultural to Industrial before moving forward with the wind farm. However, after stiff opposition from nearby residents, Elite pulled it’s request in December.

Mayor Harold Douthit told 40/29 Monday evening that it’s possible the property will not have to be rezoned to place the wind turbines on the land. Douthit said that Fell asked the planning commission about looking at the possibility of moving forward with the project under the current Agricultural zoning

Douthit says the city told Fell it would need more information about the project before making any decisions.

Some residents who oppose the project tell 40/29 News they’re concerned that the issue came up in Monday night’s meeting because it was not on the agenda.

In March, Elm Springs voters will decide whether to annex the land into Elm Springs, which is currently in Washington County. The city council approved the annexation last year, however those who oppose the wind farm collected enough signatures on a petition to push the measure to a vote.

Many residents living around the property where the proposed wind farm would be constructed, say they’re concerned about the effects the project could have on property values.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/01/12/company-still-working-to-build-wind-farm-in-nwa/