Two indicative requests to revise wind turbine regulations in Cherry County were tabled on December 4th by the Planning and Zoning Board so their language can be reviewed by the county attorney. Board members Michael McLeod and John Wheeler volunteered to attend the review session.
The first one was a continuation of a request by rancher Wayne Eatinger to repeal and replace regulations so only wind turbines with a height of 80 feet or less would be allowed in the county. The initial public hearing was at the November 6th meeting, but was then tabled to December when it was tabled again to January. This request was originally submitted in February 2018.
Though the public hearing had already occurred, additional comments by a few people present were still allowed by board chairman Herb Pabst. This was initiated by the presentation of a Stahr letter referring to the Eatinger request. The point was: if his letter is read, other people should also be allowed to present testimony.
Prior to any comments regarding the Weller request, board chairman indicated that any discussion associated with property rights would not be acceptable. “No one has property rights,” he said, including how government would take any property it would want. It has become obvious that when it comes to private property rights, some people say they have the right to place turbines on their land while others say this sort of action diminishes their property.
William Weller then introduced his request that a classification as industrial be indicated for wind turbines in clauses of the zoning regulations that now refer to commercial/utility wind turbines. This request was submitted in July by this young Cherry County rancher.
A common and shared reasoning was that wind turbines are not an agricultural use of land while Cherry county is predominantly involved with raising livestock and crop production. These points were initially raised by Craig Andresen and supported by others.
There is a common sentiment that a wind turbine facility is not a “turbine farm.”
Brent and Janet Steffen, of Thedford and Kearney, shared a perspective that wind turbines would change the Sand Hill region, visually and functionality. “We shouldn’t let greed and money take over what we are blessed with,” she said, also referring to how “wind turbines have ruined Oklahoma state,” where she grew up.
Turbines facilities planned for the county are industrial because of the planned height and extent of power produced, said Mike Young, expressing how any turbines would ruin features so important to the county residents and visitor business places such as Valentine.
One point of view expressed was whether “Cherry County will continue to be a special place,” as conveyed by Craig Miles, Brownlee. His son Caleb read supportive comments from scribbles in his small pocket notebook.
Tom Witt, Steve Moreland, Wayne Eatinger and Bob Stetter were supportive of Billy Weller’s request.
“What is done needs to make Cherry County better,” Moreland of Merriman said. His son Brock was also present and supportive. These men know sandhill country and its so essential grasslands of importance to them every year.
“What do citizens of Cherry County prefer to be done,” said Stetter, Valentine. His perspective is based upon a long-time heritage of family ranching in central Cherry county.
The stellar features of the region’s skyscape were indicated as a distinctive feature. Eve Millar referred to the annual star party at Merritt Reservoir – indicated by a just recent NET television feature – as occurring at a finest site in our nation to look at stars and a setting realized and enjoyed for many years. She indicated that despite an initial, past reluctance to speak about the future of the county viewscape, she has decided that “we cannot leave the views out” of any decision regarding wind turbines, as conveyed during her testimony at the public hearing.
Cleve Trimble has often indicated that this very same feature is a prominent reason visiting golfers so much enjoy the Sand Hills Golf Club and the Prairie Club course.
Twice during the meeting – for each zoning change request - reference was made to letters from Orvil Stahr, of Stahr and Associates of Kearney, NE. Neither letter had an indicated date when written. It was also questioned as to whether or not he has a valid contract, even though a draft, though not finalized contract was approved December 27th by the county commissioners, via a motion made by Tanya Storer, according to known details. Another point was why any comments by this consultant could/should be accepted in a county when he may not have even been officially hired. In one letter, he referred to a citizens comments as “beliefs” and then continued in his letter with berating points how they were erroneous and unacceptable.
A few very current news reports indicate there is an impeachment effort underway by voters to remove Stahr as mayor of York, NE.
And personally, anyone that refers to raptors as raptures – as Stahr did in one of his missives – has made a huge mistake. I’ve might have had a near rapture experience while watching a golden eagle soar over the land, but this misuse of language is simply wrong and indicative of something missing when it comes time for some consultant to opine their faux reality.
Cherry County residents obviously are expressing their views on what they want, yet a trio of county commissioners has instead decided to spend at least $50,000 based upon commissioner meeting minutes. They hired someone who has already written government documents which have repeatedly been heard to not be acceptable.
About 45 people attended the December meeting, many of them area ranchers. Some drove along lengths of icy country roads to be present. There were 13 people that presented testimony on the Weller request during the public hearing from 4:30 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. No one spoke in opposition to either the Eatinger or Weller request at this meeting.
There were six zoning board members present, with one absent and two ongoing vacancies since the commissioners have been unable to find any suitable candidate(s). The current zoning administrator was also absent, which is the second time she was not present for her job, as personally known in the past two weeks. A fill-in transcriptionist was required.
This meeting was video-taped, as many others have been in recent months to make certain what was said, that being their veracity.
Once the two requests are reviewed by the county attorney, they will have to be presented at another zoning board meeting, with the public being allowed to review any changes. Another public hearing will be required.
The next zoning meeting will be January 15th at county facilities at Valentine.
In January there will be a different mix of Cherry County commissioners that will make final decisions on any recommendations forwarded by planning and zoning. James B. Ward will replace Jim Van Winkle, a known investor in Cherry County Wind L.L.C.