By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

At Monday's meeting, the Hays Area Planning Commission continued its work to draft an ordinance regulating wind energy development within city limits.

As discussion continued, the issue of whether to require special-use permits for every project or to include accessory use provisions seemed to spur some disagreement.

Commission representatives solicited input from Hays City Commissioners at last week's meeting, at which time an ordinance extending a moratorium on wind development was approved.

Also during this meeting, some city commissioners voiced opposition to the idea of handling every wind project by the conditional-use permit process, which is what the planning commission had been working towards.

Planning Commissioner Jim Fouts suggested a compromise, in which projects proposed within city limits would be handled by special-use permit, but others in the city-governed 3-mile radius could be regulated by accessory use.

"I am not against wind energy convergence systems in residential areas," Fouts said. "What I am for is allowing input of the surrounding neighbors as opposed to just blanketly saying 'Sure, put them up.' "

The drafted regulations commissioners worked with Monday, however, suggest just the opposite. The document suggests small residential turbines would be handled as accessory use, while larger commercial towers in the 3-mile zone would be handled by special-use permits.

While no final agreement was reached on this issue, the commission will continue its work next month.

Commission Chairman Larry Gould pointed out that, on some points, the board members might not be in complete agreement. In these cases, a majority vote can be taken when necessary, he said.

Ultimately, however, it is the job of the planning commission to draft the regulations it thinks will best serve Hays residents, Gould said.

"It's important for us to consider quality of life in the city of Hays, it's important for us to consider collective good, it's important for us to consider a whole variety of things," he said. "And whatever we think is right is what we recommend to the city commission."

The planning commission has until late March to complete its proposed ordinance. The moratorium is set to expire April 1.