Plan commission to consider wind farms, A1 changes

A pair of big decisions loom for the nine-member County Plan Commission when it convenes on Thursday evening.

At hand will be the questions of how the county will handle requests to place wind energy conversion systems (wind turbines) as well as the future of development standards for the A1 (Ag Protection) district.

The two subjects dominated discussion during the March Plan Commission meeting, but were both tabled for different reasons.

In the case of the wind farms question, the commission agreed in principle to consider adding them as a special exception in all zones across the county.

Commission members asked County Attorney Jim Ensley to advertise a public hearing on the matter for the April 11 meeting to give interested parties the chance to speak in person or write letters on the matter.

The hearing will take place during the regular meeting, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Room on the first floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.

Even if Plan Commission members accept such an ordinance, it would not automatically bring giant wind turbines to the county.

Instead, allowing anything as a special exception means that on a case-by-case basis, applicants would have to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for a hearing. Even if it allows a special exception, the BZA is able to place specific requirements on any granted exception.

The second matter, that of changing the development standards within the A1 district has been a matter of discussion for several months.

If passed, the new standard would change the minimum lot size from five acres and 350 feet of road frontage to three acres and 200 feet.

Opinions are strong on both sides, with proponents saying it would allow for further development in the county while opponents say it would take too much land out of production and compromise the county’s agricultural heritage.

Having not met in February for lack of a quorum, the commission tabled consideration of the issue again in March, citing the need to fill out the last position on the board after the resignation of former member Nancy Wells.

The Putnam County Commissioners have now appointed Ken Heeke to that position.

As the newest appointment, Heeke will join the other eight members in making what promises to be a contentious decision.