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Brookings County commission selects members to study high-voltage transmission-line rules
Summary
Planning commissioners agreed to form a subcommittee to consider regulations and an application process for overhead electrical transmission lines above 345 kV, naming four commission representatives and requesting County Commission advisory participation.
A Planning & Zoning subcommittee to study potential regulations for overhead electrical transmission lines above 345 kilovolts was proposed and a slate of commission representatives named on April 7.
Deputy Director Richard Haugen told the commission he was considering how to receive applications from the public and utilities, how to set meeting times and who to include. The Planning & Zoning Commission selected Neil Trooien, Chad Ford, Kyle VanderWal and alternate Mark Jorenby as its four representatives; County Commissioner Kelly VanderWal will serve on the advisory board pending the County Commission’s final appointment.
The matter was introduced after a public commenter urged the board to consider adopting a 2,000-square-foot setback from inhabited residences for very high-voltage lines. The commission did not take a formal regulatory vote; Haugen said the commission’s selections and a recommended applicant process would be forwarded to the County Commission for its consideration.
Next steps: the County Commission will finalize advisory appointments and the scope for the subcommittee. No draft ordinance or timetable was adopted at the April 7 meeting.
