(Spirit Lake)—The Dickinson County Board of Adjustment Monday evening approved a conditional use permit allowing Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative to erect seven wind turbines in the vicinity of the Superior Ethanol Plant. The vote wasn’t unanimous, though and followed nearly two hours of public comment.
Among those addressing the standing-room-only crowd in the community room at the courthouse was Terry Bruns of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. He spoke in support of the proposed project and requested the board approve the co-op’s request for a conditional use permit for the project.
Among those opposed to the project is Steve Eral. One of the turbines will be located 1,050 feet away from his house. He’s concerned over aesthetics, noise, interference with electronics, and other possible issues.
After hearing from a number of others…both for and against…the board voted four-to-one to approve the conditional use permit. Board Chairman Don Oleson cast the lone no vote.
The permit does have a number of stipulations attached to it, in an effort to address some of the concerns expressed. Many of them are similar to those placed on a conditional use permit issued several years ago for the Clipper Wind Farm project in western Dickinson county.
Prior to addressing the ILEC permit, the Board of Adjustment also last (Mon.) evening approved a conditional use permit allowing the North Star Wind Farm to erect four wind measuring towers in northeastern Dickinson county. The action came after-the-fact, as those towers have already been put up. Al Blum of the North Star Wind project told the board he didn’t think a permit was required for the towers until he was contacted by the county’s Zoning Administrator.
The board voted five-to-nothing in favor of that permit, which is to be in place for no more than two years.
