Boone County Board vote keeps wind-turbine zoning as-is - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jennifer Wheeler

BELVIDERE - Boone County leaders narrowly shot down a proposed amendment to a zoning ordinance that would have significantly limited where wind turbines can be placed.

Board members rejected the idea Wednesday, with about 150 people in the audience, of increasing the minimum setback distance equal to three times a tower's height from property lines.

The code will remain unchanged, calling for 1,000-foot setbacks from primary structures, like homes….

 

The 6-6 vote had Brad Fidder, Denny Ellingson, Bob Walberg, Johnson, Paul Larson and Chris Berner voting to increase the distance and Bill Pysson, Cathy Ward, Ron Wait, Marion Thornberry, Kenny Freeman and Craig Schultz voting to keep it the same.

Boone County State's Attorney Michelle Courier said state statute requires the majority of those elected to the board must approve the measure for it to pass, which means seven votes were needed to change the ordinance.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140116/NEWS/140119631#ixzz2qY3ZH86o