November 29, 2016
Indiana

BZA still makes no decision on Warren County wind farm proposal

Alexis Moberger | Published: November 29, 2016 | wlfi.com

The Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals met for a third time Monday night on a proposed wind farm, but still no decision has been made.

Three hearings and nine hours later, the board of zoning appeals still has yet to take a vote.

“I love that our zoning board is giving everybody the opportunity to talk and speak,” said Warren County resident James Elrod. “This is democracy and it’s awesome.”

The vote is over a wind farm proposal, called Jordan Creek Wind Farm.

The proposal includes 150 turbines, stretching over 27,000 acres of private land. The proposal comes with a price tag of $350 million.

But the question still remains, will the board vote yes or no?

“The reason I’m for the wind farms coming is because I want our kids to have the same opportunity I had,” said Elrod.

He is one many who spoke in favor of the wind farm at Monday’s meeting.

“It’s so Warren County can not only have a future financially, but also it’s a job opportunity for our young people,” said Elrod.

Those against the proposed farm said there are too many negative effects on health, sleep and property value.

Ted Heartke said he lived near a wind farm for months, but the consequences were so great, he ended up losing his home.

“At first the wind company was turning off the wind turbines, they turned them off 51 nights,” said Heartke. “And when they refused to turn them off anymore, we realized we weren’t going to be able to stay in our house.”

After the board heard more than 30 people speak at Monday’s meeting, they said they want to make sure every voice is heard before a decision is made.

The fourth hearing is set for Dec.12 at Seeger Memorial High School at 6 p.m. The board hopes to take a vote on a special exception for the proposal.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/11/29/bza-still-makes-no-decision-on-warren-county-wind-farm-proposal/