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Mitchell County adopts zoning changes for wind turbines and battery storage
Summary
The Board adopted Ordinance 63 to amend Mitchell County’s zoning ordinance on wind energy conversion systems and battery energy storage systems, updating setback rules, insurance minimums, and site‑plan requirements; adoption was approved by unanimous roll call after a public hearing.
After a public hearing on Nov. 25, the Mitchell County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 63, an amendment to the county zoning ordinance (Ordinance 17) that revises rules governing wind energy conversion systems (WECS) and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
A county consultant summarized the changes: liability insurance minimums were increased (the consultant described residential/small‑scale coverage raised from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and described a utility‑scale figure given as 10,000,029), site‑plan illustration requirements were updated to show required setbacks, and numbering errors in the ordinance text were corrected. The consultant also recited setback distances for utility‑scale wind: 1,450 feet from dwellings and occupied buildings; half‑mile (approximately 2,640 feet) from conservation and public recreation areas; 600 feet or 125% of total turbine height from some rights‑of‑way; and 300 feet from regulated floodplain in some cases. For battery storage the consultant said the draft requires 50 feet from a nonparticipating property line and 300 feet from dwellings.
No oral comments were reported at the public hearing. After the hearing the board voted to waive the first and second readings and adopted the ordinance by roll call vote. Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of adoption.
The county clerk and planning staff were asked to finalize posting and filing steps. Planning staff and the county attorney noted the changes are intended to make application materials (site plans and insurance documentation) clearer for staff review and to reduce ambiguity in setback interpretation.
The ordinance will take effect following the administrative filing and any applicable waiting period under county rules.
