Howard County wind ordinance changes likely to discourage any new turbines

In particular, the commission recommended a special exception that would allow the county to add restrictions outside of those spelled out in ordinance, should a wind turbine project be proposed.

“Under the special exception, anything can be discussed again,” said Plan Commission Director Greg Sheline. “If a company were to come in, they could be forced to make commitments that are outside of the ordinance. We can adjust requirements based on a petitioner’s plan, and they have to decide if that’s worth it. For example, a setback farther than 2,000 feet could be requested.”

The exception, which was grouped with three other recommendations, relates to medium and large turbines. A medium turbine is defined as any wind to energy structure that is not placed on a building’s roof and does not exceed 189 feet. A large turbine exceeds any of the medium requirements.

“My opinion is that the special exception will keep turbines out of Howard County,” said Sheline. “However, we can’t vote to completely shut them out.”

Any proposed turbine project likely would be heard through the Board of Zoning appeals, which would decide how to use the special exception, according to Sheline.

“I do totally agree with the special exception category,” said resident Lauren DeCarlo, who spoke at the meeting. “However, it still leaves Howard County open to possible turbines. We should go ahead and make it totally protective.”

Due to the possibility of technological advances, the commission didn't want to completely shut the door on wind turbines, said Sheline.

“We had a responsibility to allow for the possibility of turbines,” said plan commission vice president Cheryl Graham. “Things are changing constantly."

Dave Duncan was the only plan commission member to vote no on the recommendations.

“We are basically eliminating any possibility of turbines with this special exception, anyway," said Duncan. “We should just take the next step and say no to turbines. The committee worked hard, but I think we should just get rid of the possibility.”

A four-person committee, which included Plan Commission Director Greg Sheline, Vice President Cheryl Graham, member Michael Imbler and member Bob McKea, developed the proposed changes.

“I am happy with how everything has gone,” said Sheline. “I think we have done a good job of making some reasonable decisions. We have done a lot to make residents happy.”

The other changes include: an increased setback from 1,500 to 2,000 feet from any occupied building; a maximum noise level of 40 decibels as heard from the exterior of any occupied building; and the requirement of reasonable efforts to obtain a shield for lights placed upon a turbine.

The commissioners will vote on the changes Jan. 5, according to Commissioner Paul Wyman.

Howard County has had a contentious relationship with wind turbines since E.ON Climate and Renewables’ plan to build a wind farm in the eastern part of the county became public in early 2013. The proposal was to extend the existing Wildcat Wind Farm from Tipton County into Howard County, where construction was to begin in late 2013.

Residents began to publicly voice their concerns in April 2013 by forming the Howard County Residents for Safe Energy and attending the Howard County Commissioners meetings, where residents asked the commissioners for a moratorium on wind farm permits.

The commissioners attempted to compromise in July with a slew of changes to the development program. Extended setbacks, lower decibel levels and light shields were all proposed, but residents continued to demand harsher restrictions.

After continued public backlash, the Howard County Commissioners voted to terminate their agreement with E.ON during a special meeting on Aug. 14. It was at that meeting that the commissioners passed a resolution to the county plan commission asking for more restrictive standards.