April 19, 2017 — United Citizens of Livingston County Illinois
After 3 years of hard work, the United Citizens of Livingston County Illinois are grateful to announce the following:
GREAT NEWS for RESIDENTS of LIVINGSTON COUNTY (IL): Tonight, 10 years after they first adopted a wind ordinance, the Livingston County Board approved changes to the County’s wind ordinance to protect citizens from the impacts of industrial wind turbines. Based on the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the County Board approved the following changes:
Increasing setbacks from homes from 1200 feet to 3250 feet or 6 times the height of the turbine, whichever is greater.
Increasing setbacks from adjacent property lines to 1640 feet (1600 feet for substations next to residential property)
Noise limits were set at IPCB levels as measured at the property line of residential properties (ending “trespass zoning”). If noise levels exceed limits at any time, the company must shut off turbines until a solution is found and approved by the County after a hearing.
The company must inform the public of its intent to apply for a WECS permit at least 90 days before filing the application and mail notice thereof to all residents and landowners inside and within 1.5 miles of the proposed footprint.
Habitat studies must include impacts on bats as well as birds and must include a plan for mitigation of impacts.
Setbacks from private airstrips must comply with DOT Title 92, Chapter I(b)(14). The owner can waive this if they are willing to give up their airstrip.
Setback from school property line is 1.5 miles.
New above-ground transmission lines must be at least 150 feet away from the edge of a home.
Turbines that do not generate electricity for 6 continuous months must be decommissioned within 30 days unless the company demonstrates diligent repairs.
Shadow flicker must be analyzed and will be limited to 30 hours per year for homes.
Most provisions applicable to homes also apply to commercial buildings, hospitals, day care facilities, and schools.
Setbacks are waivable by the affected party up to certain minimum distances.
The County Board also voted to send an amendment to the Zoning Board of Appeals to adopt shorter setbacks in Round Grove, Dwight, Nevada, Broughton, Union, Odell, and Sullivan Townships of 1600 feet (or 3.75 times tower height) from homes and primary structures. Setbacks from property lines in general would be 1.375 times tower height. These differences go along with the referendum vote by township last November.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/04/20/livingston-county-board-approves-changes-to-wind-ordinance/