November 7, 2019
Michigan

Wise voters reject zoning amendment

By Eric Baerren | The Morning Sun | Nov 5, 2019 | www.themorningsun.com

For the second time in two years, voters in Wise Township rejected amendments to their zoning ordinance that would have permitted construction of wind turbines.

The amendment went down 136 voting against to 99 voting for, 58 percent to 42 percent.

Turnout in the township was unusually high for an off-year election at 30 percent.

The amendment established parameters for the construction of turbines. Although language permitting them in the township was included in 2012, it didn’t include things like height or setbacks required to build them.

Township trustees had adopted an amendment correcting that in early 2018, but a petition was circulated challenging it and taking it to a vote. It went down 180 to 134 during the Aug. 8 primary.

They adopted a slightly revised amendment earlier this year, and that one was also challenged by a citizens’ petition. Although originally it called for a vote during the next general election, the township opted to hold a special election Tuesday night.

Except for the city commission race and ballot proposal in Mt. Pleasant, Wise Township’s zoning question was the only race in Isabella County on Tuesday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/11/07/wise-voters-reject-zoning-amendment/