Crown Point, Ind., to draft turbine guidelines

Mar 9, 2010 — The Times

Kathleen Quilligan

Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CROWN POINT -- The city's Plan Commission has asked Community Development Director Curt Graves to research and create a sample amendment to the city's zoning ordinance regarding wind energy turbines.

Helping Graves will be Plan Commission attorney Joe Irak who is already working on a similar ordinance for Lake County.

Both said there have been a handful of requests for wind energy generation in the city and the county.

Graves warned the commission that crafting an amendment would not be a short process. He estimated about six to eight months to create the amendment, which could cover both residential generating and turbines erected by a private company on private land, such as farms.

Graves said a special use from the Board of Zoning Appeals likely would be required and final approval from City Council.

Graves said turbines currently cost thousands of dollars and would be costly to erect.

"That's now. The VCR used to be $1,500," noted commission member Bill Feder, who said he thought the amendment should include a minimum height for the structures. He said a higher structure is actually less visible in some cases, such as with cell towers.

In other business, the commission approved re-platting five lots into a single lot for the new Veterans Affairs hospital slated for the southeast corner of 93rd Avenue and Madison Street.

The new building for the city's VA outpatient clinic is scheduled to open in July 2011.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0129-42719999