Roanoke County planners hope to have a revised set of proposed rules ready by late June to regulate large-scale wind turbines. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, the proposed regulations now take on increased importance.
Federal Aviation Administration has approved placement of at least 14 large turbines atop Poor Mountain. The company behind the proposed development must now await approval of a Roanoke County ordinance establishing guidelines for such wind farms. The County Planning Commission recently postponed a vote until several items could be reworked. Deputy Planning Director Philip Thompson says they include height, distance from property lines, noise and impacts upon mountain views. County Supervisors will have the final say. Once approved, the regulations would not mean any specific proposal is approved — they would establish the process and requirements for large-scale wind farm applications.
