Manitowoc supervisors alter wind tower ordinance
A story in the Manitowoc Herald Times:
MANITOWOC — County supervisors approved two amendments to the county’s large wind energy system ordinance at Tuesday’s board meeting.
Supervisor Tony Heyroth, who represents the areas of Mishicot, Two Creeks and rural Two Rivers, has had two contentious wind farms proposed in his district. He supported both amendments,
Supervisors voted 20-1 to approve an amendment requiring that information be posted on each large wind energy system so that the owner can be contacted in the event of a noise complaint. The placard must provide a telephone number for law enforcement or officials to call to investigate a noise complaint, sound level measurement, or administration of this ordinance, the amendment said.
Supervisors also voted unanimously to adopt an amendment requiring all large wind energy systems to be set back one mile from any emergency communications tower.
In June, Emerging Energies LLP, of Hubertus, filed a civil lawsuit against Manitowoc County over its wind energy ordinance. Emerging Energies is proposing a seven-turbine wind farm in the town of Mishicot.
Navitas Energy Inc. of Minneapolis has proposed to build a park to contain 49 wind turbines on about 5,000 acres in towns of Mishicot and Two Creeks.
The county Planning and Park Commission recommended the amendments after it held a public hearing on both amendments on Aug. 27.
