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Jackson County adopts wind energy ordinance after brief debate, waives additional hearings
Summary
The county board approved Wind Energy Conversion System ordinance No. 314 as presented by zoning, waived further public hearings and completed second and third readings during the March 11 meeting.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted March 11 to adopt a new Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) ordinance (ordinance number 314 as presented by the zoning commission), moving to second and third readings and waiving additional public hearings.
Laurie Rolling and other county supervisors discussed proposed edits to the draft ordinance earlier in the process. Rolling said suggested changes would have required republishment and reposting for an additional public hearing; the board instead chose to approve the ordinance as submitted by the zoning commission. Rolling and other supervisors noted that future amendments remain possible through the standard public‑hearing process.
Supervisor Mike Steinas moved to approve the ordinance as presented. The board then moved to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order and proceed with the second and third readings on the same day. After separate motions approving the second reading and then the final reading, the board adopted Wind Ordinance No. 314 as presented by zoning. The board directed that the ordinance appear on upcoming meeting agendas to process the readings and to consider whether an additional public hearing should be posted before final adoption if required by timeline considerations.
During debate supervisors also discussed state legislation that may affect local ordinances; Rolling said she had spoken with a legislator who believed proposed state action was defeated for this session but might return. Rolling additionally mentioned concerns about siting considerations such as topography, sinkholes and sensitive natural areas and said an adopted county ordinance would “hold more weight” and provide background documentation for county review.
Board minutes show the board approved motions to waive additional readings and to approve the second and third readings on March 11. No formal amendments to the ordinance were made at the meeting and no members of the public spoke during the board’s discussion of the zoning ordinance at the March 11 session.
The zoning commission will continue to be the point of contact for any future proposed amendments or a request to re‑open public hearing procedures.
