Wind towers taller than 125 feet banned
Published on -1/20/2009, 4:48 PM
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By KALEY LYON
At Monday's meeting of the Hays Area Planning Commission, the board voted 5-3 to ban all wind energy towers more than 125 feet tall within Hays city limits.
This restriction pertains to land in the city-governed 3-mile radius surrounding town, in which construction of commercial turbines about 400 feet tall already have been proposed in conjunction with the proposed Ellis County project.
"My big thing is we're charged with orderly development of the city of Hays," Planning Commissioner Jim Fouts said. "It's hard to develop in an orderly fashion in and around 400-foot towers.
"Since the city of Hays is consistently and constantly growing, I feel like it's our one shot at creating a buffer zone that will, in time, disappear."
At a previous meeting, commissioners agreed that wind turbines in residential-zoned districts should not exceed 45 feet.
Not all commissioners, however, were in favor of the height restriction in the three-mile area for commercial projects.
Commission Chairman Larry Gould suggested wind towers of any size be allowed within that buffer, but only under special-use permit procedures.
Gould said that, while large wind towers might not be conducive to development in some areas, they might be OK in others.
"From my standpoint, I'm concerned about getting too static, too concrete with the approach we take," he said.
Currently, Hays Wind has proposed eight towers to be located within the city's 3-mile buffer area southwest of town. A small wind project, also to be located in the area, is being pursued by Fort Hays State University.
In other business, the commissioners also opted to suggest the special-use permit process for any and all wind turbines proposed within city limits.
That was the approach the commission initially had considered. At a December Hays City Commission meeting, Mayor Barbara Wasinger spoke in favor of implementing accessory use conditions for wind energy development, rather than establishing a process that requires special-use permit applications for every wind tower.
In a 7-1 vote, commissioners agreed special-use permits are the most effective method to control wind-energy development
Planning Commissioner Bob Wertenberger, however, dissented.
"Everything I've read says that that's discouraging wind development," he said.
The city commission still has final authority in the matter. The regulations proposed by the planning commission will pass to the city commission for approval.
A moratorium on wind-energy development within the city is in effect until April 1 so the planning commission can continue the process of drafting regulations.
For balanced info on wind energy: www.wind-watch.org There are sensible ways to increase the state's renewable energy portfolio. Wind turbines may be part of the plan, but siting responsibly is all we ask.
(Posted by: Obama Girl)
Lack of progress...: 1/21/2009
I would like to express a concern of my own that may reflect the concerns of many Ellis County residents who find themselves somewhere between the very pro and very con to wind energy conversion systems (WECS). I believe we have too many people in too many different settings trying to establish WECS regulation. For example, the City has the planning commission and the County has their own commission to suggest rules and regulations now over WECS. The problem is we may end up with two sets of regulation that end up conflicting each other regarding the 3 mile boundry (as well as others) of the City and may all together discourage any developement or progress of any size. I also believe our residents and office holders need more education on both sides of this issue. Some of the material I saw presented both for and against WECS is completely false and misleading. I am no expert myself but I try to read up on the subject when possible. I think we could all benefit from a series of larger public forums that would let actual representatives from both sides present the pro's & con's to the community and officials involved in establishing regulation over WECS. Then we need all commissions to work together and draft a comprehensive plan for the City & County TOGETHER. Then put it online for public input and review before any final regulations are put inforce. I am afraid that Ellis Co. will end up divided for years to come and we will see no progress. Nothing for our future. I don't want to see this happen. In the end I believe WECS (as well as Solar, CNG, Geothermal, and others ) have a roll to play in creating diversity in our energy policy but is not an end all fix. I think any reasonable person would agree with that.
(Posted by: Concerned 30 year old)
Wind tower restriction: 1/21/2009
Best news since BO was elected - big is not beautiful when dealing in eyesores.
(Posted by: )
: 1/21/2009
Yay, I love the Fabers!
(Posted by: )
Help: 1/20/2009
It is so great in these hard times that some people still find a way to make things harder. Way to go! Give me a break.
(Posted by: bob)
wind tower ht. limit: 1/20/2009
i wonder if wal mart wanted to construct a large tower on their property....what would the commission do then?
(Posted by: terry keenan)
NIMBYs again: 1/20/2009
Once again, the anti-growth NIMBY's win. Thanks Fabers, et al. You want to kill western Kansas off. Keep it up. Then you can have ALL the empty land around you and pay taxes on it, too. Jerks.
(Posted by: NIMBYhatr)
Moratorium????: 1/20/2009
Here's a copy of a wind training seminar of the 3 most common mistakes • 1. Too short of a tower • 2. Too short of a tower • 3. Too short of a tower Sounds to me like the locals just put a moratorium on wind in general. Might call the gov's office and figure out who's right or who's wrong on future energy issues for the state.
(Posted by: Haysite)
3 mile wind ban: 1/20/2009
It is time for rural residents to stop buying anything in Hays
(Posted by: Country Gentleman)
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