City to consider wind turbine restrictions

[The Straight Story]

At Thursday's 7:30 p.m. meeting, Hays city (Kansas) commissioners will consider approving an ordinance to regulate wind energy development.

A moratorium on wind energy is slated to expire April 1. Depending on what action city commissioners take this week, residents likely will have the opportunity to begin implementing the technology in the near future.

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If a wind generator is inoperable for six consecutive months, the landowner will be asked to remove it. If the turbine is not removed, the tower will become subject to city nuisance ordinances.

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The moratorium on wind energy development also could be extended if the commission feels more time is needed.

The planning commission has been working to draft the regulations for about a year.

In other highlights, the ordinance limits wind turbine height to 125 feet in the 3-mile zoning radius and 45 feet in residential districts within city limits.

This effectively would ban commercial-scale wind turbines within city limits.

All wind energy convergence systems would require a special use permit from the board of zoning appeals.

http://www.hdnews.net/Story/citypre032409

Sounds good really - that they will be allowing people to use them.