Commercial Wind Energy Text Amendment

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Wind Energy Text Amendment on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 1:00 P.M.

Planning Commission Briefing

Staff from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department presented a technical briefing to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 1:30 P.M. The meeting was open to the public.

Planning Commission Review Draft

On August 5, 2019, staff from the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department presented a briefing on the proposed Wind Energy Text Amendment to the Planning Commission. The intent of this briefing was to provide Commissioners with a basic technical background, as well as the history and the process undertaken in developing the proposed text amendment. They were given the opportunity to ask technical questions. Staff requested that Commissioners reserve questions that would be of interest to the public for the public hearing on August 19, 2015.

On July 9, 2015, staff from the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department released the draft text amendment for review by the Planning Commission. To view the proposed County zoning regulations for Commercial Wind Energy click here Planning Commission Review Draft. This version lists the changes from the June 8th draft and highlights the revisions in yellow. To review the proposed regulations without the changes from the June 8th draft click here (clean copy).

Click Here to View Comments on the July 9, 2015 Planning Commission Review Draft

On June 8, 2015, staff from the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department released a "Public Comment" text amendment draft. The old June 8, 2015 version can be viewed here:June 8, 2015 Public Comment Draft(PDF, 78KB) The comments sent to the staff and the Lancaster County Board on the June 8, 2015 draft will be forwarded to the Planning Commission.

Click Here to View Comments on the June 8, 2015 Public Comment Draft

Wind Energy Text Amendment Working Group

The Lincoln/ Lancaster County Planning Department & Lincoln/ Lancaster County Health Department hosted a series of meetings with a Working Group to help staff revise the current regulations regarding Commercial Wind Energy projects. The Working Group of 12 people included persons with various viewpoints and interests, including industry representatives, environmental interests along with landowners and residents of various viewpoints about wind turbines. The Working Group was joined by 8 members from Gage County who are working on the same topic.

The goal of the Working Group process was to develop a text amendment that permits commercial wind energy projects provided there is adequate protection of adjacent property owners and residents.

Six meetings were held between March 12, 2015 and May 21, 2015 at the Roca Community Center or Cortland Community Center in Gage County. The communities of Cortland and Roca graciously donated the use of their space for the meetings. The meetings were open to the public and typically 30 to 40 people attending. At the end of each meeting there was an open comment period for the general public.

The first five meetings focused on sharing information about wind energy. Topics ranged from the economic benefits of wind energy to health and noise impacts. Staff prepared a discussion draft which was released in early May and was reviewed page by page with Working Group members at the final meeting. The following is information presented and shared during the Working Group Meetings:

Information from Staff

Information from Working Group Members

Cindy Chapman

Lu Nelsen

 

Anthony Oberley

Tom Schuerman

Greg Schwaninger

Lisa Wiegand

Joe Wood

Meeting Information

March 12, 2015

Meeting Materials from Staff
Meeting Discussion Topics and Information

March 26, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Roca Community Center, 15545 B Street

(About 2 miles east of Highway 77 on Roca Road (Spur 55F), just south of Main Street on B Street, Roca, NE)

Meeting Materials from Staff

Meeting Discussion Topics and Information
Information from Public on Meeting Topics
Agenda Items
  • Economic implications for land owners & surrounding community
  • Environmental implications of wind turbine projects
  • Shadow flicker and ice throw
  • Examples of regulations from other communities
  • Examples of wind associations of property owners (such as Saline County)

April 9, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Cortland Community Center
(Exit Highway 77 on West 4th Street. Center is on southeast corner of West 5th St. and S. Lincoln Ave. Enter on north side of building, meeting in the "Storm Shelter" Room, Cortland, NE)

Meeting Materials from Staff

Information from Working Group on Meeting Topics
Agenda Items
  • Important view corridors
  • Impact on development and subdivisions
  • Impact on property value of adjacent land
  • Public road improvements needed for construction
  • Decommissioning of wind towers
  • Enforcement and regulations issues

April 16, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Roca Community Center, 15545 B Street

Meeting Materials from Staff

Information from Working Group on Meeting Topics
Information from Presenters
Information from Dr. Dominique Cheenne
Information from Dr. Edward Walsh
Information from Robert O'Neal
Agenda Items
  • Noise and health concerns about wind turbines
  • Setbacks

April 30, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Cortland Community Center

Meeting Materials from Staff

Agenda Items
  • Setbacks in other communities
  • Noise and health Part 2

May 7, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Roca Community Center, 15545 B Street

The meeting scheduled for May 7, 2015 has been canceled

May 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Roca Community Center, 15545 B Street

Meeting Materials from Staff

Information from Working Group on Meeting Topic
Information from Public on Meeting Topic
Agenda Items
  • Review of initial staff proposals for addressing previous topics
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