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Monday, April 19, 2010
Ind. Gov't. - Marshall County to raise the fee for commercial wind farm permits from $50 to $20,000
Virginia Rainsbottom reports in the South Bend Tribune:
PLYMOUTH — Wind farms have begun appearing in Benton and White counties in northwest Indiana, and Marshall County could be next.Looking ahead to that possibility, the Marshall County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on proposed ordinance changes for wind energy conversion systems and to raise the fee for commercial wind farm permits from $50 to $20,000.
Marshall County planning director Ralph Booker said wind farms have shown interest in locating in both northern and southern Marshall County.
"Meetings have already taken place with a wind farm company actively pursuing locations," Booker said of the northern Marshall County location. "They've met with farmers four times in the area to talk about signing acreage over for two years on a temporary basis." * * *
The significant rise in the permit fee is not to deter a wind farm from locating in the county but to make sure county expenses are covered.
"Our fee is totally inadequate and it would be a steal right now with the county going through a lot of expenses and not getting reimbursed," Booker said.
For instance, the highway department would be required to prepare road assessments because roads could be damaged in the transportation, construction or decommission process.
Surveys for crop or tile damage must be conducted and additional staff, lawyer fees and financial experts would be needed. * * *
Marshall County's wind farm ordinance has been redesigned to better facilitate wind energy systems while minimizing visual impacts, providing setback regulations, encouraging location in nonresidential settings and avoiding potential environmental damage.
The fee for noncommercial wind energy conversion systems (WECS) would only rise from $30 to $40.
A hike in the fee structure for commercial and residential building permits, communication towers and Planning Commission and BZA fees is also proposed.
Proposed changes range from $5 to $100. For instance, a permit for an in-ground pool would rise from $50 to $100. Roof permits would rise from $25 to $30.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 19, 2010 12:56 PM
Posted to Environment | Indiana Government