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Planning Commission approves updated zoning rules, adopts changes to wind-energy standards and decommissioning requirements
Summary
On Feb. 10, 2026 the Lincoln County Planning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend updated zoning regulations (AM26-002) to the county, approving amendments that raise the sound standard to 50 dBA, allow setback waivers and require decommissioning bonds prior to construction.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 10 to adopt Resolution AM26-002 "A," recommending updated Lincoln County zoning regulations and the Official Zoning Map, and approved a package of amendments affecting wind‑energy siting and technical standards.
The commission heard public comment from landowners and developers including Shane Felske of RWE and Peggy and Jeff Pape, and received written comments (on file with planning staff). Attorney Hannes Zetzsche, representing a sender of one of the comment letters, urged several changes to the draft: raising the proposed 40 dBA sound limit to 50 dBA, reducing a half‑mile setback to approximately 1.1–1.5 times turbine height, allowing waiver provisions, and revising decommissioning requirements. "Most counties have adopted a 50 decibel sound limit so he would like to see that changed from 40 to 50," Zetzsche said.
Consultant Keith Marvin explained the origin of the ½‑mile setback, citing studies that showed ice can be thrown as far as a half mile from a turbine rotor, and he indicated no objection to a 50 dBA standard. Marvin also recommended drafting decommissioning language to require "excavation to the lesser of the depth of the footing or ten feet." Attorney Tyler Volkmer noted that when a landowner grants a setback waiver it can run with the deed, and the commission discussed attaching waivers to deeds.
After discussion the commission approved a set of amendments by roll call: changing small- and commercial-scale wind language from "promote" to "allow for," removing specified subsections (9.04.02 and 9.05.02), and adopting Amendment #7 to: require decommissioning bonds prior to construction, change the sound limit from 40 to 50 dBA, allow waivers to be applied to all setbacks, and set decommissioning excavation to the lesser of footing depth or ten feet. Several proposed changes that would have removed the word "renewable" from the purpose language were defeated. The final roll call on the original motion with approved amendments was 7–0 in favor (Roggow, Edwards, Davies, Pederson, Friesen, Merritt, Boden).
Members and attendees discussed practical implementation points: Judy Clark said she will verify floodplain mapping with the county surveyor; Mr. Marvin said Lincoln County will be one of the first to use a soil-overlay district in these regulations; and Marvin indicated he would produce finalized wording for the county board within roughly 15 days. Public commenters later in the meeting raised continued concerns about turbine blades, battery disposal and backup diesel engines when wind is insufficient. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
