Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission approved a measure last week to require people wanting to build wind towers in the county to file for an exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Assistant County Planner Matt Sandy said the new measure is a fill-gap until the county has an official ordinance governing wind turbines.
"Since wind towers aren't specifically addressed in the county's ordinances," Sandy said, "they have to go through an exception with the BZA until we have an ordinance."
Sandy said an official wind ordinance for the county may not be too far off. The plan commission has had several discussions on elements to include in a wind ordinance, including examining wind ordinance from other Indiana counties. The plan commission will hold a public hearing Feb. 4 to consider approval of a proposed ordinance.
Sandy said a wind ordinance would focus on the height dimensions of towers and the noise levels produced by turbines. It also would specify locations on which turbines could be constructed and details like setbacks.
Sandy said the purpose of the ordinance will not be to keep towers from being built in the county, but rather to protect property owners from having them built too close to their property or in areas they don't fit.
Another important element Sandy said will be included in any wind ordinance the county approves is a plan for removal of wind turbines when they are no longer in use.
County discussions on a wind ordinance began earlier this year when an energy company asked permission to construct a test tower near Milford to see if Kosciusko County is a prime location for a wind energy collection site. JW Great Lakes Wind LLC constructed the 196-foot test tower in early December.
Johnathon Runyon, project coordinator for the company, said the tower will collect data for about a year. Meanwhile, he said, his company is pursuing agreements with area land owners in which the company would lease their land as a site for wind turbines. Runyon declined to say how many land owners had made agreements with the company, but he said several meetings have been held and several property owners have expressed interest.
The Feb. 4 plan commission meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the Old Courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
For more information about JW Great Lakes Wind LLC, visit www.juwi-international.com
