July 6, 2021
Iowa

Woodbury County Supervisors approve third reading of wind farm ordinance

By KCAU STAFF | Jul 6, 2021 | www.siouxlandproud.com

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved the final reading of an ordinance that outlines the application approval process and site plan review for wind energy companies in Woodbury County.

On Tuesday, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors heard a public hearing of the new ordinances that outline the application approval process and site plan review for wind energy companies., approving the third and final hearing on a 4-1 decision.

A major aspect of the ordinance gives protection to the county and county residents. It orders to minimize conflict with agriculture, which is the principal land use in Woodbury County, and guide future growth and development of non-agricultural uses to a compact pattern by efficient and economical expansion of public infrastructure,

The ordinance gives property owners in the Loess Hills area the right to choose if they want a wind turbine put on their land.

“I think that the landowners are more comfortable with what we talked about tonight and what was approved tonight because it still maintains their right to do what they want or feel that they should have the right to do. So, there will still be some zoning issues that need to be cleared before they do anything. There still needs to building permits, those kind of things, so setbacks are going to be recognized, easements, those kinds of things are still going to be in play.” said Rocky DeWitt, Board of Supervisors Chairman

The previous reading prohibited any wind turbines built within one mile of the Loess Hills.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/07/06/woodbury-county-supervisors-approve-third-reading-of-wind-farm-ordinance/