Duke Energy may have already cancelled its wind turbine project in northern Michigan, but Pleasanton Township has completed a draft of rules designed to govern such projects, in case other companies show an interest.
The 44-page document would apply to commercial turbines over 100 feet tall, and would require special land use permits for each project.
We have a brief summary of the major conditions of those permits.
In addition to following the Pleasanton Zoning Ordinance, the wind energy systems would also be required to
- not pose a risk to the health, safety and welfare of the Township residents.
- not pollute, impair, or destroy the Township’s natural resources.
- not cause damage or harm to sensitive area within Pleasanton Township, as defined and set forth by recommendations of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
- not destroy or impair the aesthetics of the community.
- not destroy or impair the current and future tourism-based economy.
The ordinance does not specify how those five criteria would be evaluated.
The commercial wind ordinance also requires liability and other forms Insurance of at least $5 million per project and would provide for future removal of the turbines by putting money into an escrow account
In terms of height restrictions and setbacks, the turbine height limit would be 199 feet
Setbacks would be 1800 feet from property lines, roads, wetlands, land conservancies, and also at least 2 miles from the residential-zoned, or R1 areas
Each turbine would have to be at least half a mile apart from any other turbine, transmission lines would have to be underground, and the developer would have to agree to one of several Real Property Value Protection Plans, in order to guarantee property values of all real estate, up to two miles from the wind turbine project boundaries.
There will be a public hearing on the commercial wind ordinance tomorrow, Wednesday, January 9 at 7pm at Pleasanton Township Hall.
You can find a copy of the
Draft Wind Ordinance on the Pleasanton Township’s website under the
Recent News tab. That's online at
pleasantontownship.org. Or, if you make an appointment, you can inspect the draft in person at the township hall.
The Planning Commission Chair, Kris Kranz, can be reached at 231-843-6899 and the Township Clerk, Amy Cross, can be reached at 231-864-3238.
Comments can be submitted prior to the hearing and will also be allowed during the hearing.
Click below for the Draft Wind Ordinance:
