Committee members recommended that the county board begin a text-amendment process to allow temporary meteorological towers as a permitted use in agricultural districts, subject to design criteria and a building-permit process.

Staff said the current zoning ordinance requires a public hearing for towers and that most counties instead treat temporary meteorological towers as a permitted use with conditions such as setback distances, anchor and guy-wire standards, and FAA notification for towers taller than 200 feet. The committee discussed that temporary towers are typically used to gather wind data ahead of a possible wind project and that permanent meteorological towers used with an approved wind facility would need to be included in that project’s public hearing and siting review.

Members asked staff and legal counsel to draft resolution language for the county board that would begin the text-amendment process; staff said proposed language would be finalized for publication and the Zoning Board of Appeals would hold the required public hearing. Committee members also discussed practical matters such as permitting timeframes, the need for design standards, and landowner lease arrangements for tower placement.

A motion to recommend amending the zoning ordinance to allow temporary meteorological towers as a permitted use in agriculture districts, subject to ZBA review and specific design criteria, passed on roll call.