City lacks wind regulations

By KAREN MIKOLS

kmikols@hdnews.net

The Hays City Commission will discuss wind generators within the city limits during the work session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 1507 Main.

"We had more than one individual come forward inquiring about wind towers within the city limits," said Jesse Rohr, superintendent of planning, inspection and enforcement. "They raised the flag and made us do some checking and realize we don't have enough in place to regulate those."

The commission will discuss a moratorium to allow time to research. The moratorium would be in place until the end of the year, unless it was extended.

"There's not necessarily opposition as of yet, but we need more time to do research on the types they were inquiring about," Rohr said.

He added the towers people inquired about were approximately 50 feet tall.

"They were obviously much smaller than the towers being proposed for the county," Rohr said.

A developer posed the question, which is allowing the city to examine the issue before permits are issued.

"We just want to allow city staff and planning commission and general public to research this and give input on the issue," Rohr said.

He said a local contractor verbally inquired, but he declined to identify the contractor because no permit was issued.

The commission also will discuss waiving fees for tapping water and sewer for Overland Property Group relating to the affordable housing development near Fifth and Main.