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News
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Written by Robin Hixson
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Wednesday, 07 January 2009 08:00 |
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 Interest in wind energy is growing in Miami County, creating a need for wind-specific zoning regulations, but county commissioners want to know more before they forge ahead.
Since August, Planning Director Charlene Weiss and her staff have been working, with input from the Miami County Planning Commission, to create amendments to the county zoning regulations for the development of wind energy conversion systems in most zoning districts, including pertinent definitions of WEC systems and wind farms.
After months of research, discussion and rewriting, Weiss presented the amended regulations at the Dec. 2 planning commission meeting and obtained a 7-1 vote of approval with Planning Commissioner Randy Kitchen casting the dissenting vote.
She then presented the amended zoning regulations to the Board of County Commissioners during its Dec. 31 meeting, but after an extended discussion, the proposal was tabled for further study.
Following her detailed presentation, commissioners asked questions and discussed the proposed regulations, but no consensus was reached, and Chairman Jim Wise suggested the commissioners need to learn more before bringing it to a vote.
Economic Development Director Janet McRae said U.S. Department of Agriculture grants are available for commercial wind energy projects, and she could line up someone to give a presentation. Wise said he intends to arrange for an authority on wind energy to come and speak to both the planning commission and the county commission.
As of press time, nothing pertaining to this issue has been listed in the Jan. 7 agenda.
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