Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents deliver mixed views on zoning, wind farms during Prairie County public comment
Summary
Dozens of residents and representatives spoke during public comment Dec. 17 with both strong support for and opposition to the proposed zoning district and industrial wind projects; attorneys and neighboring-county correspondence were also entered into the record.
Multiple residents and parties used the afternoon public comment period to express divergent views about the proposed Big Sheep Mountain Park Zoning District and industrial wind projects that would cross multiple counties.
Speakers in favor included David Kastin, Todd Tibbetts and Scott Eaton, who urged the commissioners to pass the district. Speakers opposed included Ross Freehan, Allen Clark Anderson and Chele Cole‑Harrington; Cole‑Harrington reported on a Farm Bureau resolution opposing wind turbines and solar fields. Attorney Chris Halson, identified in the minutes as counsel for NextEra, submitted a letter opposing passage.
Correspondence entered into the Clerk & Recorder file included an email from Robert Lee representing the Rosebud County Commissioners urging Prairie County to support the Glendive/NextEra project and noting potential regional tax revenue impacts. A county resident who emailed the Clerk’s office, Rolane Christofferson, urged respect for the commissioners’ decision and said, “I will respect Their vote even though I may not agree and I ask that everyone else also respects their decision.”
The commissioners heard both ideological and practical objections — concerns about turbine failures and insurance exclusions were voiced by at least one commenter — and both supporters and opponents invoked future tax and land‑use consequences. The board’s subsequent vote denied the zoning district.
