August 22, 2018
Illinois

Wind ordinance draft talks might wrap up Wednesday

By Katie Finlon | Daily Chronicle | www.daily-chronicle.com

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Planning and Zoning Committee is set to discuss some of the last remaining topics related to the county’s wind ordinance draft at their Wednesday night meeting.

The committee is expected to discuss wind turbine setbacks from wildlife, including bald eagle nesting areas and whether it would be mandated to add motion technology to the towers so the blades wouldn’t harm flying birds or bats. Other topics of conversation are expected to include revisiting sound components added during a previous meeting and amending the moratorium that the county set on wind energy projects in 2017.

Committee chairman Steve Faivre said he will not be able to attend the meeting, but committee member Kevin Bunge will facilitate discussion on Wednesday. Faivre said he’s expecting more people in favor of the ordinance to speak during public comment and that additional clarification on previously passed components may be discussed again.

“Theoretically, after all of that, we should have an ordinance,” Faivre said.

Faivre said attendees will still have a chance to share thoughts and concerns at public hearings for the ordinance and there might be one more special committee meeting scheduled for additional discussion if need be. Next steps after those public hearings would include sending the draft back to the committee and then to the county board, he said.

EDF Renewables representative Jon Baker had said during the Aug. 8 committee meeting the current sound regulation in the ordinance draft is lower than ambient noise that already is on affected property. EDF Renewables representative Shanelle Montana also said current components as outlined in the draft currently would restrict all wind development in the county.

The committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the DeKalb County Legislative Center Gathertorium, 200 N. Main St.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/08/22/wind-ordinance-draft-talks-might-wrap-up-wednesday/