Wind change OK'd

The Jay County Planning Commission approved a recommendation Thursday night that would allow commercial wind turbines to be built on agricultural land to avoid some zoning headaches in the future.

County zoning regulations currently permit wind turbins only on land zoned for industrial use. With plans for a potential wind farm in southern Jay County looming, the planning commission agreed Thursday to the change, which will go to Jay County Commissioners for a vote - possibly as early as next week.

The proposed change would allow a commercial wind turbine on virtually any agriculturally-zoned land providing it meets previously adopted setback requirements.

Current regulations state that the location of turbines require industrial zoning.

But under an industrial zoning, farmers would not be able to plant or harvest on any land falling under that zoning definition.

In other business Thursday, commission members approved some minor wording changes, including adding the definition "wind turbine generator," which should help clear up confusion between large commercial towers and smaller towers geared toward personal use.

The commission's recommendations will be passed on to the Jay County Commissioners for final approval.[[In-content Ad]]