Commissioners terminate Hope Ridge Wind conditional use permit after applicant withdraws

At their regular meeting, the Dickinson County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 040926 to terminate CUP24‑06, the conditional use permit for the Hope Ridge Wind Project LLC, after the project’s authorized representative requested revocation.

County officials read the applicant’s letter requesting that the board take “the necessary action to revoke CUP24‑06.” A motion to adopt Resolution 040926 passed by voice vote; the board recorded “All in favor” and the chair stated the motion carried.

The action came after a period of public comment in which local residents called for a three‑year moratorium on new wind development so the planning commission could update regulations adopted in 2009. Kay Hoffman, a resident who said she lives on 1100 Avenue in Hope, asked the county to study modern setback distances and to require transparency about leased and nonparticipating land, arguing that current rules do not reflect modern turbine sizes. "A three‑year moratorium would allow [the planning commission] to study what appropriate setbacks should be for our unique county," she told commissioners.

County Counselor and commissioners said the applicant’s withdrawal rendered the immediate appeal moot and the resolution will remove the CUP from active status. No further land‑use action on the project was taken at that meeting; commissioners suggested the planning commission and county staff continue to consider potential zoning updates in response to public concerns.

The vote to terminate CUP24‑06 was recorded by voice as unanimous in favor; the board did not adopt a countywide moratorium at the meeting.