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Madison County considering moratorium on new wind farms
Credit: Ken de la Bastide. The Herald Bulletin. February 13, 2024. heraldbulletin.com ~~
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The Madison County Plan Commission would like to place a moratorium on any future wind farm developments.
The Plan Commission Tuesday amended the county’s wind farm ordinance that was adopted in 2002.
Larry Strange, executive director of the Planning Department, wanted to make the application process for future wind farm developments similar to the procedures adopted in the county’s new solar energy ordinance.
“The wind ordinance should have the same level of scrutiny,” he said. “There should be a site development plan review that would have to be approved by the Plan Commission.”
Strange said developers would also have to get approval for a location improvement permit.
He said there has been some discussions about making changes to the solar energy ordinance.
“I agree with the process,” Plan Commission member Denise Spooner said. “We need more oversight.”
Spooner said in Tipton County there is a requirement for a property value guarantee and a provision to prohibit shadow flicker from the turning of the turbine blades.
She said Apex Energy is looking at the development of a wind farm in Hancock County that would extend into Madison County.
“I would like to consider a moratorium until the wind ordinance is revised,” Spooner said.
She made a motion to impose a moratorium that was approved unanimously by Plan Commission members.
Attorney Jeff Graham said there would have to be a public hearing on the implementation of a moratorium that would have to be approved by the Madison County Board of County Commissioners.
Strange presented a proposal to be considered by the Plan Commission in the future to amend the county’s solar energy ordinance.
He said the current ordinance has a three-mile buffer zone between any future solar energy development and the nearest waterway.
Strange recommended a one-mile buffer. He said most other counties have a buffer zone of less than 1,500 feet.
In other business, Wes Likens submitted his resignation from the Plan Commission effect immediately.
The Commissioners will replace Likens on the Plan Commission.
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