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Wapello County planning and zoning expects MSA draft ordinance on wind energy in May
Summary
County staff said planning and zoning will receive a draft wind-energy ordinance from consultant MSA at its May meeting; speakers discussed state-level rules and whether counties could impose local limits.
Wapello County planning and zoning is preparing a local ordinance for wind-energy development, and county staff said the consultant MSA is expected to provide a draft at the May meeting.
At the county meeting, officials and residents discussed how state-level action could affect local authority. One county official said the state is debating rules and that, under state law as described in the hearing, an individual landowner who wants to site turbines may have rights that limit county control. Staff said the county would still proceed with an ordinance and would follow the required public-hearing process, including three public hearings once an ordinance is drafted.
Residents at the meeting compared wind turbines to other land uses such as hog confinements and expressed differing views on the local effects and benefits. County staff said the timing of state activity is uncertain but that the county would continue its local ordinance work so it would be prepared whether or not the state acts soon.
Planning staff and the consultant MSA were referenced in the meeting as the entities drafting the ordinance; the record shows the draft was expected for the May 12 planning and zoning meeting.
