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Washington Evening Journal
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Temporary moratorium could halt wind energy
Henry County Board of Supervisors held a first reading of resolution that would put a hold on rezoning needs for wind energy until next year
MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors held a courtesy first reading of a resolution establishing a temporary moratorium on rezoning land to an Alternative Overlay District for commercial wind energy use.
The resolution, which supervisors stated was written by the county attorney, would establish a temporary moratorium on the rezoning of any land to the Alternative Overlay District through March 2, 2025, unless extended by the Board of Supervisors. According to the resolution this is to allow the Henry County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Henry County Board of Supervisors adequate time to further consider proposed changes to the current Alternative Energy Systems.
If passed, this resolution means wind energy companies will not be able to apply for needed rezoning until the moratorium expires or the supervisors end the moratorium upon completion of amendments to the ordinance. Until that time, no commercial wind energy conversion systems will be able to build in the county.
According to the resolution this moratorium would go into effect because “Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems may affect the character of the surrounding area and the board desires that all applications for Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems be considered consistently within the purpose and intent of the Henry County Zoning Ordinance so that the most appropriate uses of land are encouraged throughout unincorporated Henry County.”
The time allotted through the moratorium would be used to “explore the possibilities of changing the approval requirements for Alternative Energy Production,” which could possibly result in needed amendments to the current ordinance.
Additional reasoning from the resolution included the fact that Henry County is currently in the process of updating the County Comprehensive Plan and “said process will involve multiple public input sessions to hear valuable county resident opinions on Alternative Energy.”
While Supervisor Chad White asked if the resolution should include a moratorium on solar energy, Board Chair Greg Moeller kept the conversation tight without public comment or much further discussion.
“We're addressing what is in front of us at this point in time with a moratorium on the wind energy conversion, giving the P and Z board more time as well as us more time to make a decision that's in the best interest of our citizens,” Moeller said.
In less than 10 minutes the supervisors voted to approve the fist reading and scheduled a second reading and approval of the resolution establishing the moratorium for March 28 at 10 a.m.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
