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 Relight and Meridian LLC applied for a conditional use permit in
order to build a series of wind towers. The area in question is
located south and west of Mount Pulaski, with towers stretching
into Elkhart and Broadwell. The wind farm would consist of 81 wind
turbines, collector lines, sub-stations, transmissions lines, access
roads, meteorological towers and related appurtenances.
The
zoning request went through the standard pre-screening processes.
In November the Regional Planning Commission recommended the
application be approved. The Zoning Board of Appeals did not
successfully make a recommendation, as their motion to approve
resulted in a split vote of two-to-two.
Robert
Paladino, the representative and Vice President of Relight US, was
given a final opportunity to speak to the board. Paladino said he
understands the difficulty of a decision like this one. Paladino
also reminded the board members of the research materials that were
provided to the board, and that none of the research he provided
contained proof of negative effects on health or surrounding
property values due to the presence of turbines.
Paladino also said that the frequent references in opposing studies
to a decision made in Brown County, Wisconsin regarding wind farms
and negative health effects is not based in scientific fact.
Paladino said he could not find scientific evidence to support the
decision made in Wisconsin.
“The
Brown County decision was based on a report that has never seen the
light of day,” said Paladino.
Larry
Cyrulik of Mount Pulaski addressed the board after Paladino.
Cyrulik reiterated that any new industry that comes to Logan County
will bring new jobs and new tax dollars, both of which would be good
for the county.
Michael Nichols spoke next. Nichols said that the offer of monetary
compensation by Relight for living in the footprint of the project
would not be make it worth “losing sleep for thirty years for $500 a
year.” Nichols also said he was never approached by Relight prior
to the ZBA hearings, which seems questionable in terms of business
practices.
Chris
Cowen provided copies of a correspondence with a researcher studying
wind farms of the same size and power output as Relight’s turbines
in Pennsylvania. According to the study, infrasound and turbine
noise would likely lead to people moving out of their homes. “These
are not a figment of the imagination; these are real people,” said
Cowen.
Cowen
also said that the tax money generated by the presence of the wind
farm is not necessary for the school districts or the county to do
well. “It’s because of the community. We pull together and knit
together and put things together,” said Cowen.
Lisa
Leonard added to the discussion on property taxes. According to
state tax law, tax rates on wind farms in the state could go down
after the first year, due to the current rates expiring in 2016. In
addition, current laws allow for turbines to depreciate in value
down to thirty percent, which would reduce the taxes earned for the
county. “At best, we have one year of guaranteed revenue,” said
Leonard.
Ryan
Mott reiterated that General Electric, the manufacturer of the
turbines used by Relight, recommends a further setback from roadways
than the limits set by the county. Mott said that twenty-eight
percent of the turbines will be closer than said recommendation.
“That twenty-eight percent is only county and state highways. That
doesn’t count any of the township roads that will be affected,” said
Mott.
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Dan Fulscher asked if Relight planned on providing aid in
emergency situations should they arise on the wind farm.
Paladino said that the employees would all undergo emergency
preparedness training, and local emergency personnel will be
invited to take part in those programs.
Before
public comments were closed, Paladino spoke once again. Paladino
said that the research showing a link between infrasound and health
problems is inherently biased against wind farm development.
Paladino also said that nobody from the currently operating wind
farm in Logan County has come forward with any complaints.
Pat
O’Neill made a motion to approve of the conditional use permit, with
Chuck Ruben as a second. Emily Davenport made a motion to amend by
attaching said conditions, which were approved with a vote of
seven-to-five, with Gene Rohlfs, Scott Schaffenacher, Andy Anderson,
Rick Aylesworth and David Blankenship voting no. Another condition
was added in the form of a requirement that decommissioning funds
increase yearly with inflation over the course of the project.
The
county board has the authority to attach conditions in a situation
such as this, in which the ZBA has no recommendation. The county
board would not be able to add conditions later, after such a permit
is approved.
Ruben
said that from a personal view, the turbines do not seem to pose a
problem. Ruben, who lives in Emden, said he has towers on his
property. “Nobody in that area has voiced any concerns to me,” said
Ruben. “They become part of the landscape to me. But that’s
personal. Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder.”
In
addition, Ruben said the county does have to consider the financial
benefits to this project. “We’re low on funds at the county level.
We’re struggling to maintain a budget and keep our heads above
water,” said Ruben.
After
the discussion on amendments was finished, the final vote on the
motion to approve the application was taken. The vote resulted in a
tie of six-to-six. O’Neill, Ruben, Hepler, Bateman, Davenport, and
Farmer voted yes; Rohlfs, Schaffenacher, Schumacher, Anderson,
Aylesworth, and Blankenship voted no. As the motion did not generate
sufficient votes to earn a majority, the motion is considered a
failure, and the permit is denied.
Board
members present at the meeting were David Hepler, Chuck Ruben, Gene
Rohlfs, Robert Farmer, David Blankenship, Pat O’Neill, Andy
Anderson, Emily Davenport, Kevin Bateman, Jan Schumacher, Rick
Aylesworth, and Scott Schaffenacher.
[Derek
Hurley] |
