Proposed wind energy ordinance explained

Wind energy generators are appearing on the horizon around Carroll County. The Carroll County Zoning Steering Committee has developed an ordinance to regulate construction and use issues as the technology migrates closer to the county line.

The proposed ordinance was explained by Miriam Robeson to Carroll County Commissioners at their Monday morning meeting. Robeson said the goal was to provide a regulatory scheme for the construction and operation of wind energy conversion systems in the county. The 11-page draft ordinance will regulate applicability, prohibitions, conflicts with other regulations, development standards, safety design and installation standards and other applicable standards (such as guyed wire anchors, sewer and water issues, noise and vibration and utility interconnection), operation and maintenance, decommissioning plan, liability insurance and application procedures.

Robeson said one component of the regulations was a provision that will require commercial ventures to pay for county resources utilized to provide necessary services for construction of the generators, such as road work.

Commissioners attorney Barry Emerson suggested language changes to ensure commissioners retain local control and to protect county authority over the process.

“As you create this (ordinance) you are really going to affect your neighborhood,” he advised the county leaders.

Emerson noted one ordinance restriction was that a personal property building could not be built within 1,000 feet of a wind generator without permission from the generator owner. He suggested the personal property owner be allowed to petition Carroll County Area Plan Commission to gain permission for an exception to the ordinance rather than an entity that would not necessarily be from the area. It was further suggested the setback allowance be reduced to allow for more construction flexibility than provided in the 1,000 foot limitation.

Robeson said she will take all change suggestions to the committee for review. The ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing Nov. 16 during the commissioners meeting prior to possible approval by commissioners.

A copy of the revised proposed ordinance can be viewed at www. www.carrollcountyzoning.wordpress. com. A hard copy of the document can be also be viewed at the Comet office in Delphi. TLRSD/River commission appointments

Wayne Garrison was re-appointed to the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District board of directors as Carroll County’s representative in a two-toone vote. Although Garrison was the only person who expressed interest in the four-year position, Bill Brown said he would not support the nomination because he did not want to do anything that could be construed as being in support of the policies of the sewer district and its board.

George Mears was reappointed to the Wabash River Heritage Com- mission. Pat Clawson commented that an alternate may also be chosen for the position.

Other business

Highway engineer Paul Couts was granted permission to advertise for 2010 stone and fuel bids. Bids will be opened at 9 a.m. Dec. 7 at the commissioners meeting.

Couts said it is his belief that no work funded by federal stimulus money will be completed this year on CR600S. or Bicycle Bridge Rd.

VFW Post 9383 will have a sign on the courthouse lawn Nov. 9 to 15 to advertise a fish fry.

The next meeting will be Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.

Drainage Board

County surveyor Wayne Chapman reported a work slowdown in October.

“Things are a little slow coming in right now,” he told the county commissioners who also serve as the drainage board members.

Work orders were received from Tippecanoe and Madison townships.

Chapman reported that “it seems like every open ditch or waterway needs repair” due to the amount of rain received recently. He said he classifies most ditch work as “maintenance” rather than a “reconstruct” due to additional requirements for a reconstruction project.

The next drainage board meeting will be Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m.

Highway engineer Paul Couts announced Tuesday that Brooks Construction finished repaving Meridian Rd. from CR100N. to SR218 Nov. 3. Road work will begin on CR700W. from Towpath Rd. to CR1000N. Wednesday, Nov. 4. Traffic will be restricted to one direction at a time. Flaggers will be posted at each end of the construction zone. Motorists need to exercise caution by slowing down and expecting delays.