Wind farms plus airstrips amount to controversy

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

PRINCETON — Controversy over the proposed Walnut Ridge wind farm and a local airstrip brought area residents out to a special meeting of the Bureau County Zoning Board of Appeals at the Bureau County Courthouse.

About 40 people attended Wednesday’s meeting in which the primary topic of discussion for the evening was conditional use permits for 14 wind turbines for the wind farm, which will stretch through Greenville, Walnut, Ohio, Manlius, and Bureau townships.

The permits for the 14 turbines were tabled at the board’s June 14 meeting upon request of the wind farm developers after rural Walnut resident Kurt Geldean opposed the turbines, saying they would interfere with the use of his private airstrip.

Addressing the zoning board Wednesday, Mike Donahue, representing Walnut Ridge developers Midwest Energy, said a verbal agreement was reached with Geldean just prior to the start of the meeting. The verbal agreement called for the withdrawal of five turbines, with Geldean agreeing not to oppose the other nine.

“This is definitely a compromise. I think the definition of a compromise is that no one walks away completely happy,” Donahue said. “This past month, there have been countless meetings, phone calls and negotiations resulting in this agreement.”

A formal written agreement is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. If that written agreement isn’t reached, the developers would come back and ask for reconsideration of the other five turbines, Donahue said.

LaSalle attorney Don Henson, representing Geldean, said the agreement was actually between all three parties, Geldean, Midwest Energy, and participating landowners.

“Everyone involved in this particular procedure has truly acted in good faith,” Henson said. ‘There have been significant concessions, not only on both sides but also with the property owners.”

The board then heard from several audience members.

Speaking on behalf of the Bureau Valley School District, BV board member Keith Bolin read a statement from Superintendent Terry Gutshall in support of the entire Walnut Ridge project. The district supports renewable energy project and Walnut Ridge will bring needed tax dollars to the district, as well as other tax-supported bodies, Bolin said.

Participating landowner Ron Bohm said he supports the Walnut Ridge project because the wind farm will provide income for property owners, schools, businesses and the county. Bohm also questioned Geldean on the proper compliance and use of his airstrip.

Dean Ganschow said he was disappointed with the interpersonal problems caused by the wind farm project. He grew up in a time when people made sacrifices for others, which didn’t appear to the situation now, he said.

Geldean, who was in attendance with his attorney, did not comment.

The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the conditional use permits for the nine turbines to the Bureau County Board, which has the authority to grant final approval. The county board is expected to take action on the  recommendations at its Aug. 12 meeting.

If the Bureau County Board approves conditional use permits for nine turbines at its Aug. 12 meeting, the Walnut Ridge project will be up to 143 turbines. The developers hope to begin construction next spring.

The zoning board tabled action on the other five turbines until its Aug. 21 meeting.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.