January 26, 2017
Michigan

County sets language for energy-related ballot issues

Brenda Battel, Tribune Staff Writer | Huron Daily Tribune | Thursday, January 26, 2017 | www.michigansthumb.com

BAD AXE – The Huron County Board of Commissioners approved the language this week for two wind energy-related referendums, which will take place May 2.

Both referendums will be open to residents in county-zoned townships to vote on whether to allow wind overlay zones.

The first question will be whether to allow an overlay district in Bloomfield, Dwight, Lincoln and Sigel townships.

The other will be whether to allow an overlay district in Sherman and Sigel townships.

Voters must select “yes” to vote in favor of the districts, and “no” if they do not approve.

The board unanimously approved the ballot language, which reads as follows:

• Should the electors residing in the zoning jurisdiction of Huron County approve an amendment to the Huron County Zoning Ordinance which would add a wind energy overlay district classification to agricultural land located in portions of Bloomfield. Dwight, Lincoln and Sigel townships, as specifically described in the ordinance, adopted at a meeting of the Huron County Board of Commissioners held on Oct. 25, 2016?

• Should the electors residing in the zoning jurisdiction of Huron County approve an amendment to the Huron County Zoning Ordinance which would add a wind energy overlay district classification to agricultural land located in portions Sherman and Sigel townships, as specifically described in the ordinance, adopted at a meeting of the Huron County Board of Commissioners held on Dec. 13, 2016?

The 16 county-zoned townships are: Bingham, Bloomfield, Brookfield, Dwight, Fairhaven, Gore, Grant, Hume, Lincoln, McKinley, Rubicon, Sebewaing, Sheridan, Sherman, Sigel and Winsor.

In other business, the board voted 4-3 to keep one of its board members on the Huron County Planning Commission.

Commissioner John A. Nugent’s term as a planner expired in December. The board has since debated whether to keep a board member on the planning commission.

Voting for the move were Nugent and commissioners David G. Peruski, Sami Khoury and Ron Wruble. Those against it were commissioners Todd Talaski, Steve Vaughan and John Bodis.

The appointment to the commission was not made this week.

Also, former commissioner Rich Swartzendruber was named to the Area on Aging Advisory Council.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/01/26/county-sets-language-for-energy-related-ballot-issues/