As counties and townships consider wind ordinances, here is one article on the wind ordinance Benzie county recently adopted.

From DOME magazine:

"Benzie County packs a lot of punch into a little space. Located in the northwest Lower Peninsula, it’s Michigan’s smallest county in terms of size, but its sweeping shorelines, majestic bluffs, and crystal clear waters are matchless.

The State of Michigan likes Benzie County, too, albeit for another nature-based reason. State experts say Benzie is one of the best places in the state for developing wind power.

Happily, the county just completed a major project that will allow residents to reap wind’s big economic benefits while protecting the people and natural resources. Making good use of residents’ suggestions, the county amended its outdated wind ordinance to allow proper development of wind turbines.

The Benzie County Planning Commission got to work on the wind ordinance last January, and the Benzie County Board of Commissioners adopted it into the county zoning ordinance in October.

Benzie County’s updated wind ordinance clearly outlines the various types of wind development,” [Mary Templeton, former Wind Energy Resource Zone Board member] added, “and does a good job of promoting that development.”

Benzie is in what the state calls Wind Region 3, which also includes parts of Leelanau and Manistee counties. Region 1 includes Allegan County; Region 2 includes Antrim and Charlevoix counties; and Region 4 includes Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay and Saginaw counties."

To read the full article, click here. To read about Centerville Township's (Leelanau County) wind ordinance, click here.

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Photo: Beach Front by ETCphoto.