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Residents urge commissioners to address wind-farm process and TV interference
Summary
Public commenters at the April 13 Marion County commission meeting urged action on a tabled wind-farm resolution and raised concerns that turbines could interfere with television reception; one land-lease holder also warned of a potential takings claim after a loss of lease value.
Myron Both, who identified himself as an operator of Upland Farms on Golden Rod, told the Marion County Board of Commissioners that tabling a March 23 resolution on wind-farm development had created unequal treatment among leaseholders and eroded public confidence.
"It seems to me that it's an unequal application of the law or policy in our county," Myron Both said, adding that he had received one payment on his lease and that the company had indicated future payments were uncertain. He also raised a takings concern, saying the lease's value "declined in value because of that" and asking how the county would address potential compensation.
Tom Britain of Florence followed during public comment, linking recent channel-loss complaints to turbine development. Britain said Dish Network removed local channel 12 during a separate dispute, and that over-the-air reception has been unreliable. Citing language included in the Expedition Wind application, he said developers "agree to negotiate and ... provide cash security assure that all issues are mitigated" but urged the county to require repeaters or other mitigation.
"As the antenna guy says, wind turbines chop TV reception signal," Britain said, pressing the board to enforce mitigation measures and noting that disrupted reception affects weather information and local programming.
Why it matters: The comments combine property-rights concerns from a leaseholder and technical complaints from residents who lost a local TV channel. Commissioners did not take formal action on the wind-farm resolution during this meeting; public comment placed these concerns on the record ahead of further consideration.
What happened next: The board proceeded with routine agenda items, including votes on minutes, claims and appointments. No decision on the wind-farm resolution was recorded in the April 13 open meeting minutes.
