The voting process was complicated and convoluted, but when it was completed, Apex Wind Energy’s wind turbine development plans were confirmed.
The Wells County Area Plan Commission approved amendments to a previously approved development plan for what will now be a 60-turbine wind farm. It also approved amendments to a second development plan — one that had never been formally approved previously — to what will be a 68-turbine operation.
Both petitions were approved by the barest majority possible, 6-3. Even though only nine members were present and eligible to vote Wednesday night, six votes — a majority of the entire APC membership — were required to either approve or deny Apex’s petitions.
The votes may not have brought a complete end to the APC’s consideration of wind turbines in southern Wells County, but it did mark a turning point in the process. The matter now goes to the Wells County Commissioners and the Wells County Council to negotiate economic agreements, road use agreements, and decommissioning agreements.
Then, and only then, can Apex act on the plans approved by the APC Wednesday night.
The amended development plans allow for wind turbines that will each be capable of generating 2 megawatts of power. Each turbine will also stand 495 feet tall.
The six APC members that voted in favor were Finley Lane, Bill Horan, John Schuhmacher, Tim Rohr, Jerome Markley, and Harry Baumgartner Jr. The three that were opposed were Jim Berger, Richard Kolkman, and Dan Baumgardner.
The evening opened with Berger — a substitute appointment to the commission — speaking for 15 minutes, citing the county’s zoning and land use ordinance that was in place at the time the wind turbine plans were first filed. Berger’s contention was that the Apex had not met the conditions of the ordinance and must therefore be turned down. “Neither one of them meets the requirements,” he said, and when he was finished with his presentation, he received applause from spectators who had returned to the Wells Community Center to express their displeasure with Apex’s proposals.
Berger’s remarks, however, did not carry the day. Schuhmacher responded that large wind energy conversion systems were allowed under terms of the ordinance in land zoned for agriculture.
When the voting on the first petition — the 60-turbine plan — began, Berger moved to deny the petition. That vote failed 6-3.
The 6-3 vote on the denial of that first petition marked the first time that Lane had been able to vote on either of the amended petitions, and signaled that they were going to pass. In April, the other five voted in favor of approval but Lane was absent due to illness. His vote with the other five votes in favor Wednesday night was key to allowing Apex’s plans to go forward.
“I’m for it — I’m totally for it,” Lane said after the meeting. “We need the electricity.”
Shortly after the vote to deny the petition failed, a second vote was taken with the wording indicating that the petition should be approved. This passed 6-3.
When the voting began on the second petition — the 68-turbine plan — began, Berger again moved to deny the petition. That vote failed 6-3.
When a vote was taken to approve the second petition, it failed 5-4. Rohr, who admitted later that he was somewhat confused by something that had been added to the petition, switched sides and voted against approval. Therefore, within a matter of moments, he had voted against denying the petition and against approving it.
What bothered Rohr was what was known as Appendix A, which Berger urged be omitted. The appendix would have allowed Apex to make several changes — to access roads, to the precise location of the turbines on a parcel of land, among other things — without returning to the APC.
“I don’t think we should give up our control as the Area Plan Commission to oversee this,” Berger said.
So when the vote was taken, and the petition had Appendix A still attached intact, Rohr hesitated.
“I honestly didn’t totally understand taking Appendix A out,” Rohr said after the meeting. “I think it should have included something there, but what, I’m not absolutely sure.
“Again, I really would have liked to have voted with the people,” Rohr said, referring to those who came out to oppose the turbines, “but I honestly feel that Apex has met what the ordinance says at this point and that’s the reason I voted the way I did.”
When Schuhmacher revised his motion on the second turbine plan, requiring Apex to come before the APC for changes in access roads and collection lines, Rohr voted in favor to make the final vote 6-3.
As some spectators understood the finality of the vote, they began to question and shout down the end of the proceedings. Among the comments: “May God have mercy on your souls.” “Who’s going to buy my house now?” “Hopefully, you’ll be able to sleep tonight.” “Thanks for screwing us over.”
Rob Propes, project manager for Apex, said after the meeting that he was pleased with the results of the vote.
“We were especially happy to see the folks that turned out to support us, particularly those who see the job opportunities,” Propes said. “We believe the APC recognized that the project meets and in many ways exceeds the county’s requirements for wind projects.
“We are pleased to be able to move forward for property owners who want to make wind energy available on their land.”
Propes said Apex will be ready for the next step — getting approval from the County Commissioners and the County Council. A road use agreement, economic agreement, and decommissioning agreement must be worked out. Opposition from some County Council members has been forthcoming even before negotiations begin.
Nevertheless, Propes said, “We’ll take those steps.”
Shane Harris, of the Carpenters and Millwrights Union, was present at Wednesday night’s meeting with other union members. They were there holding signs that said “Wind Generates Jobs,” wanting the wind turbine project to be approved for the construction jobs it would create.
“We had about 15 to 20 people here tonight,” Harris said. “We want the construction jobs. That’s what we’re interested in.”
He said six or seven of the union workers, clad in neon green T-shirts, were from Wells County.
Bill Morris, who has served as the spokesman and chief presenter for the Wells County Concerned Citizens — the organized opposition to the wind turbines — originally declined to make a comment on Wednesday night’s vote. “Obviously, we think they made the wrong decision,” he said after a few moments.
When asked if the group would be taking any additional action, he went back to his original stance. “On that, I have no comment,” Morris said.