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Wind towers creating turbulence at county
Published 11:00 a.m., July 17, 2009
Unclear guidelines of where residents can erect wind turbines on their property has caused gridlock on the Otter Tail County Board.
The issue came to a head after two residents requesting to erect wind turbines left the county’s Planning Commission struggling to decide if the permits should be approved. The Planning Commission turned to the county commissioners for direction, suggesting a possible six-month moratorium on wind turbine permits to allow the county’s guidelines to be clarified.
At Tuesday’s county board meeting, Commissioner Lee Rogness said he felt that six months was too long, while Commissioner Doug Huebsch said he wasn’t in favor of a moratorium because it sends the message to residents that the county is against economic development. Commissioner Everett Erickson said he supports a moratorium, but isn’t against wind towers. Commissioner John Lindquist said the commissioners need to take a step back to examine the county’s guidelines on wind turbines to ensure they are fair for everyone.
“It’s a gray area for the Planning Commission, it’s a gray area for us,” Lindquist said.
After two votes in an attempt to approve and deny the first request, the commissioners approved in a third vote to table both requests for 90 days to allow themselves time to clarify the 16 guidelines laid out in the county’s ordinance on towers.
The Planning Commission denied in a 7-3 motion a conditional use permit for a 70-foot-high wind turbine proposed by Daniel and Betty Strang, who live on Moenkedick Lake in Edna Township. The permit was denied for the reasons of the wind turbine not being compatible with the surrounding area; potential adverse impact on wildlife, land and possibly shoreland; unsuitability of the property for a wind turbine; potential noise; and other potential adverse effects as a result of the turbine.
Dan Strang told the county board that his immediate neighbors didn’t oppose the wind turbine, but a seasonal neighbor from down his road expressed opposition. He also stated that there wasn’t a better place to locate the turbine on his property and that it wouldn’t affect wildlife, shoreline or the surrounding area. He also said noise wouldn’t be a factor.
Strang was also upset that he paid for the permit only to go before a Planning Commission who couldn’t decide.
“You charged me $370 to tell me you don’t have the guidelines to approve it,” he told the county commissioners.
Rogness pointed out that the county’s ordinance includes 16 criteria used by the Planning Commission to deny permits for wind turbines.
After Huebsch made the motion to approve the permit, Erickson reminded the board that the Planning Commission denied the permit. Commissioner Roger Froemming seconded Huebsch’s motion. Huebsch and Froemming voted in favor of the motion and Lindquist and Erickson opposed the motion. Rogness abstained from the vote, stating he felt he wasn’t “equipped to vote on it.” The tie vote meant the motion failed.
Erickson then made a motion to deny the permit based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission, which was seconded by Lindquist. Lindquist and Erickson voted in favor of the motion, Huebsch and Froemming voted against the motion and Rogness abstained. The tie vote meant that it also failed.
A second request for a conditional use permit for an 80-foot-high wind turbine was made by Thomas and Georgette Wegsheid, who live on Marion Lake in Dead Lake Township. A motion made by the Planning Commission to approve the Wegsheid’s request failed in a 3-7 vote.
Thomas Wegsheid asked the county commissioners to table their permit request so they could not pay $370 for a second one.
Huebsch then made a motion to table both requests for 60 days to allow the commissioners time to review and clarify the county’s ordinance. The motion was seconded by Froemming. Erickson said he would be in favor if the 60 days was changed to 90 days. Huebsch, Froemming, Lindquist and Rogness voted in favor of the motion and Erickson voted against the motion.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by akmscott (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They do effect wildlife!Look at the base of these things and you'll see dead birds!
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Even T. Boone Pickens isn't having any luck making the wind generator pay. At least not yet, so I've heard.
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