Following two public hearings and further revisions by the Lyndon Township Planning Commission on March 25, two zoning text amendments – one for wind generation systems and another for temporary and seasonal uses and events – will be sent to the Township Board for approval in April.
The Planning Commission sought to allow for small-scale wind energy conversion systems that would be allowed as permitted accessory uses in the wilderness and recreation district, rural residential, medium density, lake residential, lake conservation district and light industrial districts in the township and allow for large-scale wind energy conversion systems in the light industrial district as a special use.
What was important to the Planning Commissioners was to allow residents who wanted to have wind generation systems be able to install them but in doing so, not adversely affect their neighbors.
A number of regulations were approved for the use of both small-scale systems that include stipulations for specific set backs, height allowances, blade clearances, color, safety, lighting, noise and shadow flickers, as well as adherence to national codes.
Additional regulations were included for the larger ones, including an annual maintenance review, removal guidelines, threatened and endangered species protections and public inquiries and complaints.
If a resident can’t meet the restrictions in the proposed text amendments for a small-scale turbine, then an application for a special use can be submitted to the township and would be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
The second public hearing was for text amendments regarding special events and temporary uses that seeks to add three new definitions to differentiate between small temporary events and large temporary events as well as set a specific number that are allowed during one year.
A large temporary gathering event allows for 76 or more people in attendance at the same time throughout the event for not more than 2 days with a maximum of two allowed per year.
A small temporary gathering allows for more than 50 people but no more than 75 people in attendance at the same time throughout the event for not more than 2 days with 12 events allowed per year.
Both votes were unanimous with one member absent from the meeting.
Zoning Administrator Scott Pacheco reported that five zoning permits were issued in March and that number has remained steady throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he is working with one applicant on a new site plan and that he has not yet seen the final site plan for the Triple Crane Monastery project that was granted preliminary site plan approval earlier this year.
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
