Wind Power ordinances discussion dominates Bureau County Board meeting

ESDA and Zoning Officer Kris Donarski presented the proposed amendments to the regulations of wind power facilities Tuesday night. Some of the biggest changes were in setback requirements, noise standards, television interference, the decommissioning plan, avian and wildlife impact study, and complaint resolution. The old ordinance stated the setback for a residence would be 750 feet. It is now 1,400 feet with an unincorporated platted community and a platted rural subdivision being at 2,640 feet. Other changes

state that a third party who is a qualified professional will conduct appropriate analysis of the noise impact, television reception, and shadow flickering to nearby properties. The decommissioning plan now states will be reviewed every five years for the life of the project for the purpose of adjusting or recalculating costs. The amendments were approved with a majority vote. The new ordinances are available to the public at the ESDA and Zoning Office at the Bureau County Courthouse.  In other business, the Bureau County Board agreed to pursue an intergovernmental agreement with the Bureau County Emergency Telephone System Board to utilize their conference room as the County Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, during disaster and emergency incidents affecting Bureau County and its residents. Donarski stated the county has had six major events in one year; the Euclid Chemical fire, three train derailments, a town evacuation, and a blizzard. The plan is to have the EOC centrally located in Princeton with backup facilities on the east and west sides of Bureau County.