The Linn County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved an updated ordinance for utility-scale wind projects in Linn County following the third and final reading of the ordinance. The updated ordinance is effective upon publication in the Gazette, which is expected to happen within the next week.
The updated ordinance amendments were developed by Linn County Planning & Development staff using lessons learned from the Renewable Energy Review Committee input and utility-scale solar projects, as well as an analysis of current wind ordinance best practices.
Changes in the updated ordinance include:
• Minimum setbacks of two times the height of the wind turbine
• Setting the allowable noise level at the property line of 55 dBa and ensuring the level is checked and verified every five years
• Establishing debris clean-up requirements
• Specifying maintenance procedures for grounding equipment
• Encouraging the use of local labor in construction/installation of renewable energy projects
Linn County values resident and stakeholder engagement. So, in addition to public comment opportunities, residents were invited to read a draft of the proposed ordinance amendments on the Linn County website and submit their feedback via an online form. The feedback was presented alongside the proposed changes to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
“Linn County’s updated utility-scale wind ordinance is balanced, holds corporations liable if things go wrong, and takes into consideration the quality of life for the people of Linn County,” said Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt. “I am proud to have worked on this ordinance. By participating in site visits, and most importantly listening to the people of Linn County, we were able to update the ordinance to balance the viewpoints of our community. Our attention to detail is what keeps Linn County a leader in renewable energy.”
A copy of the updated utility-scale wind ordinance is available on the Linn County website.
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