Cerro Gordo Co. Supervisors Move Closer to Wind Turbine Ban

The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors has moved a step closer to banning future development of wind and solar farms in the county.

During their regular meeting Monday (12.09), Supervisors approved language for an amendment to an ordinance that would ban large-scale industrial-grade development of wind turbines, solar energy, or battery storage facilities in the rural portions of the county. 

Maria Brownell with Ahlers & Cooney, PC drafted the amendment language. She notes that personal use or on-site use would not be impacted by the changes and advised the Board may want to consider a future revision to place definitions in the zoning code to what extent those uses can be considered primary or cross over into the commercial and industrial level.  

A public hearing on the amendment is scheduled during the Cerro Gordo County Supervisors meeting December 23rd, with the first vote on the changes after the hearing. Supervisors could then choose to waive the second and third readings with a County-imposed moratorium on development ending December 31st.

Supervisors recently accepted a 100-page report from the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission recommending the ban..

Meanwhile, Floyd County Supervisors are also considering amending the County’s ordinance for similar development. Amendments proposed by Supervisor Dennis Keifer and former Supervisor Jim Jorgensen, if approved, would likely kill two wind farms proposed in western sections of the County.  

In November, Supervisors suspended the third reading of the amended ordinance after one of the wind companies threatened a possible lawsuit if it were to pass. Supervisors put a deadline of December 16th to take up the matter again.

Meanwhile, the County has established a moderating committee to try to hammer out a compromise.