 Sugar
Creek One would be located west of Lincoln, with its over 16,000
acres split north and south of Fifth Street. The project would have
116 turbines with a height of 492 feet that would be capable of
producing 1.6 megawatts of electricity per turbine. The total
production potential of 185.6 megawatts would be enough to power
40,000 homes.
The $400 million project has an anticipated 30-year project life.
The local multi-step approval process was launched with the
submission of building permit requests to Will D'Andrea, Logan
County zoning officer.
Sugar Creek One project manager Stan Komperda came before the
Logan County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday evening.
During an hour-plus presentation, Komperda unrolled details of the
project.
The planning commission is responsible for determining if the
development would be in line with current zoning and if it would fit
into the agreed standards of living that are set by zoning in the
Logan County Comprehensive Plan. A few years ago, that plan was
completely rewritten with full participation from communities all
over the county and reflects the insight of community leaders as to
what type of developments would be desired in Logan County.
All eight planning commissioners present voted in favor of
approving the wind farm's plans.
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The project now goes to the zoning board of appeals, where public
opinions will be heard. After all public comments are made, the
appeals board will determine the consensus of the people.
Should the appeals board approve the project, it then would go
for final approval before the Logan County Board.
With the county board's approval, which could come later this
month, the process returns to the zoning officer's desk. D'Andrea
would then do a thorough review that all federal and state
requirements and permits and the list of all criteria have been met
before signing off for the building permits.
There will be as many public hearings as are needed for all
interested people to speak, and then the zoning appeals board will
rule. Four hearings have been set to take place at 7:30 p.m. June 6 and
7 and June 15 and 16 at West Lincoln-Broadwell School.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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